List of frequently asked questions

Here we have gathered some of the questions that customers ask us from time to time. Should you have specific questions that are not included here, please contact us and our team will answer to the best of their experience and ability.

These answers are provided to help you to start using our clamps. We would like to stress that each case and question should be treated individually and that the answers provided are not necessarily universal. Careful selection of the right type and size of clamp for each individual and specific fixture is vital. Feel free to turn to us and our distributors for additional information at any time.

Is it possible to machine workpieces in my tombstone with no side stoppers?

Normally, the side stoppers are not required. In heavier machining, it is possible to gain extra friction by adding small spikes between the workpiece and the stopper and between the clamp jaw and the workpiece

Do you also provide fixed stops or custom made clamps based on drawings or requests?

We have a range of fixed stoppers that are designed for use in our Rotary pallet system and we can perform certain tailoring tasks for our low-profile clamps on request. Each case has to be reviewed individually. Feel free to ask us what help we can offer.

Can the other end of the clamp be placed against a fixed stop while the other end is performing the clamping action towards the workpiece?

If the other jaw of a clamp lies against a fixed stop, make sure that the bolt is located in the middle of the wedge hole so the wedge has enough space to move down when tightened, allowing free clamping action.

Can you use these clamps hydraulically or pneumatically?

Yes, you can. Many of our customers do. You only need to make sure that the cylinder creates enough, but not too much power to achieve the required and suitable clamping force.

Do these clamps need any lubrication?

The regular cutting emulsion used in the machines is usually sufficient lubrication.

Are machinable jaws available in double wedge models?

Machinable jaws only come with single wedge models that only provide horizontal jaw movement.
Double wedge models can not be machined.

If I need a clamping power of xxx (kN), how many (kpm) do I need in order to achieve the required clamping power?

We have prepared a moment table that indicates the correct measurements and we are happy to provide this table to our customers on request.

Do you have your low-profile clamps in stock?

It is our policy to maintain a relatively large stock in order to serve our customers better.

Orders of less than 100 pieces will normally be shipped within one day.

Is it possible to use the half inch bolt in your DK2-VT and DK2-WT models?

For our clients using inch scale bolts, we have designed wedges suitable for the half inch bolt. Clamps with wedges designed for these bolts are known as DK2-VTI and DK2-WTI. Otherwise, they are similar to our standard models, only the hole size in the middle of the wedge is slightly larger to fit the half inch bolt perfectly.

What are the equivalent sizes of your metric bolts in inch scale?

The following inch scale bolts can be used with OK-VISE low-profile clamps:

OK-VISE low-profile clamps are very powerful. How do I control the power when our workpieces are thin or made of soft material?

You can control your clamping force by using a torque wrench or pneumatic tools with precisely selected torques.

Should we use the soft or rough end of the jaws, if the machined material is soft?

OK-VISE clamps come with both smooth and rough (serrated) jaw ends.
In case of soft material such as plastic, brass or aluminium, we recommend using clamps with smooth jaw ends.

Isn´t the workpiece going to move upwards, downwards or sideways when tightening the clamp?

Our single-wedge clamps are designed to keep the workpiece steadily in place allowing no upward, downward or sideways movement. Due to our clamps' cross-wedge design in both the horizontal and the vertical plane, the clamp is locked firmly in every direction as it is tightened down.

With heavier and higher workpieces we recommend using our clamps with pull-down action ( double-wedge, single-wedge) to ensure that there is no upward movement.

What material do you use in your clamps and how hard are they?

Our clamps are made of high quality tool steel and they are through hardened to 48 to 52 HRC. Wedges will always come with a hardness of 48 to 52 HRC.

We also have softer long jaws, designed to be machined according to a shape of the workpiece. These jaws come in a hardness of 30 to 34 HRC and can therefore be machined.

You claim that the jaws can be machined to suit the geometry of the workpiece. How deep can this machinable jaw be machined without weakening the structure of the jaw itself?

-BK2-VT+3 - can be machined up to 3 mm from the end of the jaw
-DK2-VT+5 - can be machined up to 5 mm from the end of the jaw
-FK2-VT+5 - can be machined up to 5 mm from the end of the jaw

How do you deliver your products?

Normally, we use UPS express service. We can also use any other world wide courier services according to our customer's preference. UPS delivers our products around the world within a few working days. We can provide you with a specific delivery price list on request.