Air pressure and vacuum
Ambient air pressure at sea
level is approximately 1 atmosphere. This equates closely to 1
kilogram of force per square centimetre (14.7lbs per square inch)
At higher altitudes air pressure
is less which means the holding force of a vacuum clamp reduces with altitude.
If you intend to work at the
summit of Mount Everest (8,854metres, 29,028ft) the holding force will
be reduced from 150kg (330lbs) to 50kg force (110lbs)
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Are these clamps
strong enough?
Forget about your vacuum cleaner
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Vacuum cleaners produce a vacuum to about 9% of absolute
vacuum. V-Clamps generate a vacuum pressure to 85% of absolute
(-88kpa, -12.5psi @ supply pressure 685kpa,100psi). A vacuum
pressure like this means that when you use the full face of
the clamp, 150 kg of air is pushing to hold your workpiece
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What happens when I work with smaller pieces
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When smaller pieces are held, less surface area means less
holding force. Indeed when using one third of a clamps surface
the holding power is reduced by the same amount. This will
still give 50Kg (110lbs) of holding power, which is more than
ample for even the most rigourous work
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