Designing Restrained State Quality Fixtures for Flexible Plastic Assemblies
Restrained state fixtures simulate final assembly fasteners with calibrated clamps on datum targets to measure flexible plastic profiles accurately.
Toggle Clamp
Meaning
Manual clamping device that uses a pivot and lever system to lock into place once a certain travel point is exceeded. A toggle clamp provides a quick and repeatable way to secure plastic parts in an inspection or assembly fixture. The over-center action ensures that the clamp remains closed even if the operator releases the handle.
This mechanism allows for high-speed loading and unloading of parts in a high-volume production environment.
Pressure Control
Adjustable spindles allow the user to fine-tune the amount of force applied to the part. Because plastic can be easily crushed or marked, a toggle clamp often features a rubber tip on the pressure bolt. Setting this force correctly is vital to avoid inducing stress that would distort the measurement results.
If the pressure is too low, the part may shift during the inspection process.
Ergonomic Design
Ease of use reduces operator fatigue during long shifts of quality checking. A toggle clamp requires only a single motion to engage or disengage, which is faster than using threaded fasteners. This efficiency is critical for maintaining the throughput of an injection moulding cell.
The clear visual state of the handle also provides a quick confirmation that all clamps are engaged before measurement starts.
Fixture Integration
Compact sizes allow for use in tight spaces.