Advanced Machine & Engineering, Rockford, Ill., has developed the Amlok Hydraulic Series RCH rod clamp to provide power-off clamping of rods and shafts. The type RCH rod clamps are actuated by a spring/collet mechanism and unclamped by hydraulic pressure. These rod clamps are designed to clamp components after the motion has stopped and to hold the position securely as long as the forces do not exceed the table values.
The mountings of the RCH Amlok rod clamp have been designed to apply to standard heavy-duty NFPA-style MF1 cylinders. The standard housing can be mounted to any machine structure or be custom designed to suit an application.
The rod clamp consists of an alloy steel housing containing a special locking mechanism actuated by a set of disc springs. The clamp is unlocked when hydraulic pressure actuates a piston that compresses the disc springs, and releases the locking device.
Because the locking of the clamp is accomplished mechanically and unlocked by hydraulic pressure, loss of hydraulic pressure to the rod clamp will cause the unit to lock.
The holding force depends upon the rod diameter and the amount of hydraulic pressure (PSI) available for unclamping. The Amlok is preset at the factory to release at the specified hydraulic pressure. The available holding forces are listed in the chart and can be multiplied by adding additional Amlok clamps to the same rod. Also, special SITEMA safety catchers and locking units can be provided to suit your needs. The rod clamps are designed for locking axial motions only.
When attached to cylinders, longer cylinder rods must be specified. The Amlok rod clamp requires a full rod diameter for the entire length "L" of the clamp. Add a minimum of "L" length for a Rod Extension to allow for the length of the Amlok.
The contact surfaces and bores to which the Amlok is clamped must be square and concentric to each other to avoid binding of the rod or excess wear. The rod clamps can be an integral part of the housing.
The Amlok is designed for zero side loads. When side loads are acting on the cylinder rod, users must make sure that the rod is guided sufficiently in bearings to avoid side loads on the locking mechanism. This is especially important at higher cylinder rod speeds to avoid overheating the clamping device due to excessive friction with the rod.
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