A guide to sliding clamps for positioning and adjustment
Sliding clamps are essential for efficient positioning across various industrial processes, delivering precision, reliability, and streamlined adjustments. But with different options available, selecting the right clamp might be challenging. This comprehensive guide explores the key factors, features, and benefits you should consider—helping you quickly find the ideal sliding clamp solution for your application. We’ll cover:
What are workholding slide clamps?
Types of sliding clamps
Riser and scale plates
Applications and uses
How to choose the right sliding clamps for your application
What are slide clamps?
Sliding clamps are specialised mechanical devices used to position & adjust and have light clamping ability for components and machinery parts or other industrial processes. They consist of two interlocking parts that give a firm hold on the equipment while also allowing for simple adjustment and alignment. Their primary purpose is to ensure stability and precision by preventing movement or shifting when setting a machine or fixture with multiple settings.
So how do these sliding bar clamps compare to other Positioning clamps? We urge you to check out the guide our experts have put together, The ultimate guide to clamps & grippers.
Key features of sliding clamps
● Sliding mechanism
Unlike fixed clamps, sliding clamps feature a sliding component that allows for quick and adjustable positioning along a rail, bar, or within a slotted hole. This makes them ideal for setups where workpieces are frequently repositioned.
● Quick setup and release
Sliding clamps are designed for fast clamping and unclamping, significantly reducing downtime and boosting operational efficiency.
● Secure hold
Once positioned and tightened, the sliding bar clamps provide a strong and stable stop for repeat operations and machine stability.
Browse our range of sliding clamps
Types of sliding clamps
The right clamp for your application enhances performance, prevents unnecessary wear and damage, and supports smooth, reliable operation. Here’s what you need to know.
Sliding clamps – for slotted hole
When used with a scale plate, sliding clamps for slotted holes feature a reading line that enables fast, accurate, and repeatable alignment. Once positioned, the clamp is securely fixed within an assembly, offering added stability. These positioning clamps are designed specifically for straight, linear movement of a sliding bar (bar not supplied) and are not suitable for withstanding lateral forces or other applied stresses.
Key features:
● Temperature resistance: durable in environments with temperatures up to 90°C.
● Quick adjustment: designed for efficient placement, locking, release, and repositioning.
● Precision alignment: facilitates accurate alignment when paired with a scale plate.
Sliding clamps – for solid round bar
Sliding clamps for solid round bars are designed to quickly place, lock, release, and adjust solid round bars in a variety of applications. To enhance stability, they are mounted in a fixed position within the assembly, ensuring consistent and secure operation.
These clamps are engineered specifically for straight, linear movement of solid round bars (bars not supplied) and are not intended to withstand lateral forces or additional applied stresses.
Key features
● Secure engagement: The sliding clamp features internal teeth, providing precise engagement at every 7.2 degrees (360°/50 increments), ensuring reliable locking and adjustment.
● Spring-loaded spindle retention: An inner spring mechanism applies a 70N force to pull and hold the spindle, effectively preventing chattering and enhancing overall machining accuracy.
Sliding clamps – for solid sliding bar
Designed to quickly place, lock, release, and adjust sliding bars. Mounted in a fixed position within the assembly for improved stability, these sliding bar clamps allow free movement of the sliding bar when in the off position, aided by two spring-loaded ball plungers.
A simple 90-degree turn of the sliding-bar-clamp handle securely locks the bar in place. These Positioning clamps are suitable exclusively for straight linear movement of solid sliding bars (not supplied) and are not intended to withstand other applied stresses.
Key features
● Fixed mounting for enhanced stability
● Free sliding bar movement with spring-loaded ball plungers
● Suitable for straight linear motion only
● Temperature resistant up to 90°C
Browse our range of sliding clamps – for solid sliding bar
Learn about our workholding clamps in our expert guide, Everything you need to know about toggle clamps.
Riser and scale plates
Riser plates and scale plates are important accessories used with sliding clamps. They improve functionality, precision, and usability in industrial applications.
Riser plates
Riser plates elevate the mounting surface of a sliding clamp. By raising the height of the clamp, riser plates make it easier to access and operate the clamping mechanism, especially when working with setups where clearance or ergonomic positioning is important. They also provide additional support and stability to the overall assembly. Our riser plates come in rectangular and square shapes for different layouts.
Scale plates
Scale plates are precision accessories used to accurately and repeatedly position sliding clamps along linear guides or shafts. They feature a marked scale or grid pattern along one or both edges, providing a clear visual reference for precise alignment and adjustment.
Two variants are available: single and double scale plates.
Within each variant, users can choose between a screw mounting type—with pre-drilled holes for secure attachment—or an adhesive mounting type, which includes an outlined screw hole location but designed for adhesive application without the need for drilling.
Applications and uses
Sliding clamps offer versatility and durability, making them ideal for high-performance applications in demanding environments. Below are some of the key industries and typical uses for sliding clamps:
Automotive
● Assembly and positioning of vehicle components
● Positioning parts for welding, machining, or inspection
● Modular fixture setups for production lines
Construction
● Adjustable jigs for structural assembly
● Positioning aids in modular construction systems
Aerospace
● Precision placement of aerospace components
● Stable Positioning during high-tolerance assembly operations
● Inspection fixtures for quality assurance
Medical devices
● Assembly of delicate medical equipment
● Precise positioning for inspection and testing
Some of these applications also use one-touch fasteners for quick assembly and disassembly of components. Learn more in our Guide to one-touch fasteners.
How to choose the right sliding clamps for your application
Selecting the correct sliding clamp is essential for achieving optimal stability, precision, and durability. The right choice depends on several technical factors including the type of movement required, mounting style, material needs, and operational conditions.
Selecting the appropriate sliding clamp for your application ensures stability, precision, ease of operation, and extended equipment life. Consider the following technical factors, features, and material options when choosing sliding clamps:
1. Type of sliding bar
● Solid sliding bars
Choose sliding clamps for solid sliding bars when your application involves straight linear movement along a rectangular or square sliding bar. These Positioning clamps offer smooth, controlled positioning and lock firmly with a simple 90-degree turn of the handle.
● Solid round bars
For applications using round bars that need precise incremental positioning and secure engagement, go with sliding clamps for solid round bars. These workpiece clamps feature internal teeth for secure locking every 7.2 degrees and incorporate an internal spring mechanism applying a consistent 70N force, minimising spindle vibration (chattering).
2. Mounting requirements
● Fixed mounting
All sliding clamps—whether designed for solid sliding bars or solid round bars—are engineered to be mounted in a fixed position within your assembly to provide maximum stability and minimise unwanted movements during operation.
● Mounting surface height (accessibility)
To improve operator access, especially in restricted or recessed setups, consider using riser plates to elevate the locking surface, making the clamps easier to operate.
3. Material considerations
● Die-Cast Zinc
Sliding clamps made of die-cast zinc offer robust mechanical strength, durability, and excellent wear resistance, ideal for heavy-duty applications such as automotive and construction industries.
Choose die-cast zinc positioning clamps for solid sliding bars or slotted holes for increased strength and ruggedness.
● Polyamide
Sliding clamps constructed from polyamide are lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and suitable for applications in environments requiring chemical resistance or lighter assembly setups, such as medical or aerospace applications.
Choose polyamide sliding clamps for solid round bars when a lighter, non-metallic material is beneficial.
4. Technical features
● Handle locking mechanism
Sliding clamps for solid sliding bars provide quick, intuitive locking via a 90-degree handle turn, allowing fast, secure positioning.
Solid round bar clamps lock securely through internal teeth engagement and are complemented by a spindle-tensioning spring mechanism.
● Spring-loaded ball plungers
For smooth, friction-free adjustment when the clamp handle is disengaged, choose Positioning clamps with solid sliding bars featuring spring-loaded ball plungers, allowing easy linear movement along the bar.
● Internal spring and teeth engagement (Solid Round Bars)
If precise incremental locking and vibration reduction are critical, choose Positioning clamps for solid round bars. These give you internal teeth engagement (every 7.2°) and integrated spring tension (70N force), eliminating spindle chattering and ensuring smooth and precise operation.
● Temperature resistance
All of our sliding clamps provided are suitable for operation in temperatures up to 90°C, making them reliable even in elevated-temperature environments common in automotive or industrial settings.
Download free CADs
We offer FREE CADs available for download. If you’re not quite sure which sliding clamp is right for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you. Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application: 0345 528 0474.