The ZSF hydromechanical spring clamping cylinders from JAKOB Antriebstechnik are robust and reliable clamping mechanisms for various areas of application. They are ideal for situations in which moving machine parts need to be temporarily fixed in place, such as in fixture construction or for workpiece and tool clamping.

The spring clamping systems work by combining mechanical and hydraulic principles. The clamping force is generated mechanically by preloaded disc springs, while hydraulics are only required to release the elements in order to free the tension rod or pressure bolt. This keeps the clamping force consistently high, regardless of oil pressure or leakage losses, which increases operational safety. The pressure or tension piston is alternately influenced by the disc spring pack or the hydraulic pressure. As the oil pressure increases, the spring pack compresses and increases the spring force until the desired clamping force is achieved. To release the pressure or tension piston, a higher hydraulic pressure is required, which is proportional to the release stroke.

Another advantage is that the setting pressure is only required during initial installation for fine adjustment of the force. In the normal operating cycle, the cylinders are operated either without pressure or with a release pressure. In spring tension cylinders, a tension mandrel or tie rod is screwed into the threaded hole of the tension piston and secured (available as a single piece or with special thread on request). All that is required for operation is a hydraulic unit, which should be equipped with a pressure gauge, a pressure relief valve, a solenoid valve and a pressure switch.

Hydromechanical spring tensioning systems offer numerous advantages, including short operating times for the hydraulic unit, low acquisition costs, increased operational safety, versatile areas of application and simple operation.