3 Different Types Of Plate Clamps And How They Benefit You

When you’re working in the welding industry, you want to have a firm grip on the things that you’re welding. Whether that be a pipe, or a piece of plate, after making the proper purges with your purge equipment (to remove any potential flaws or unwanted bacteria), you generally clamp what you’re working on.

These clamps can be pipe alignment clamps or plate clamps in various forms. The plate clamps are for lifting sheet metal to allow easier welding practices.

There are two, very basic, types of clamps for sheet metal: horizontal plate lifting clamps and vertical plate lifting clamps. There are also other styles and forms.

Here are some types of plate lifting clamps, and the benefits or what to consider for them:

Vertical Plate Lifting Clamps (DSQ Type)
Vertical plate lifting clamps are made from a high-tensile steel, which gives it excellent hardness and strength. These clamps have hardened steel jaws, increasing their grip. There used generally for lifting and handling steel sheets and plates in a vertical position.

Their main advantages are:

1. Very easy to operate.
2. Substantially saves on and reduces the working time.
3. Increased working safety.
4. Increased work efficiency.
5. Can range from one ton to ten tons in weight capacity.

Vertical Plate Lifting Clamps (Chain Type)
For the chain type, the capacity of the clamp can vary heavily. You want to check it before any job. The right type of chain sling should be used, one with proper length and size. It is a little more tricky to use, and you need to make sure that the load is lifted at the center of gravity, and to ensure that the plate or sheet is inserted to full depth.

You should check the lift clamp before every use to see if there are flaws of any type present. This generally applies to all clamps, but especially chain ones.

Horizontal Plate Lifting Clamp
Horizontal plate lifting clamps are generally used in pairs and can be ideal for moving plates/sheets material in horizontal position. The grip of the clamp is made of hardened steel to prevent any slippage from the load, and the jaws of the clamp can be serrated teeth or smooth finish, depending on the job.

Horizontal lifting clamps firmly grasp plates so that they can be lifted, moved, and more, in the horizontal position.

If you have any questions concerning the properties and usages of these clamps or wish to know more about their benefit to your business, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help.