2X4 Clamp

problem:

Clamp a 2" x 4" piece of wood.

requirements:

  • Mechanism must provide good force characteristics.
  • Mechanism must accept rotary input.
  • Mechanism must move clamp out of the way when wood is not clamped.
  • Mechanism must allow clamping that requires no force input to hold the wood.

solution:

  • Base four-bar provides motion for upper jaw of clamp.
  • Extended member of four bar attaches to driving dyad.
  • Driving dyad enters toggle positions at limits of travel- provides rotary input and locking mechanism.
  • Designed by Jeff Imsande, Joseph Franczak, and Gary Amendola, students at the University of Minnesota.

animation:



kinematic diagram: