Pneumatic clamps are standard elements in jig construction, so it’s no surprise that JW Winco, the standard parts specialist, has carried these important fastening systems in its portfolio for some time. The company has recently reworked this product family to increase its lifespan and reliability.
JW Winco’s pneumatic clamps have received several updates to ensure a longer lifespan.
The most significant improvement: the pneumatic cylinder now operates with a magnetic piston and has T-slots on the housing. Thanks to this slot, it’s now much easier to attach sensors. Additionally, the magnetic piston permits more precise querying of the current position by the new GN 3380 sensor. This newer and more modern component entirely replaces the previous sensors.
Of course, other sensors can also be precisely installed in the slot. The pneumatic clamps of the GN 860 series now have hardened, ground-bearing bushings and tempered bearing pins for significantly reduced wear. No meaningful alterations were observed in testing for more than 250,000 cycles.
The structural reinforcement of the sheet steel housing reduces wear-inducing vibrations during operation, which makes a difference even under lower loads. Also, the new one-way restrictor in the cylinder enables smoother travel to extend the lifespan of the piston.
The new pneumatic clamps are available in the tried-and-true versions for horizontal (GN 860) and vertical (GN 862) installation. With GN 862.1, JW Winco also has a version that permits manual operation. For high retaining forces, such as are required in car-body manufacturing or in pressing or welding lines, the company provides the pneumatically operated power clamps of the family GN 864.
As part of its optimization strategy, JW Winco has made two valuable improvements. The housings of the standard versions are no longer blackened but, rather, they’re chemically nickel-plated instead, which considerably increases the corrosion resistance. The FG type is designed specially for welding jigs. The PTFE coating in a characteristic green prevents weld spatter from sticking — a useful addition to the optionally available protective covers, which ensure long-lasting operation even in aggressive environments.
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