Double Ended Clamp for Fixtures: Two Clamping Points, One Component
Quick Answer: A double ended clamp is a hardened steel workholding component with two independent clamping points built into a single symmetric block, letting you clamp two workpiece features — or two separate workpieces — from one mounting position. It is used in CNC machining fixtures and jig construction where a confined fixture area cannot physically accommodate two separate clamps. Best suited for standard T-slot machine tables and fixture plates on all major VMC, HMC, and milling machine brands. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — ISO 9001:2015 certified. Enquiry: enquiry@madrasengg.com
The Layout Problem Every Fixture Designer Eventually Hits
You need two clamping points close together — two features on one part, or two small workpieces side by side — and there simply isn’t room for two separate clamps. The bolt circles overlap. The clamp arms foul each other. The swing clearance for one clamp lands exactly where the second clamp’s body needs to sit.
This is a real, recurring problem in fixture design, not an edge case. A double ended clamp for fixtures solves it directly: one component, two independent clamping points, one mounting hole.
Madras Engineering Works (MEW) is a Chennai-based ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier of workholding components, fasteners, clamping kits, and CNC machining accessories. Established in 1999, MEW serves manufacturers, tool rooms, and engineering plants across South India including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. MEW is an authorised TVS fastener dealer and holds MSME registration (UDYAM-TN-02-0158983).
What Is a Double Ended Clamp?
A double ended clamp (MEW SKU T1-DEC-1160) is a single-piece workholding component machined as a flat, symmetric steel block with a central mounting hole. Because the profile is symmetric, either end of the clamp can be used as a clamping point. You can use both ends simultaneously to clamp two features from one stud position, or use it as a single-ended clamp with a locking stud at one end and a bearing surface at the other.
Material: medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, chemically blackened. The same specification as MEW’s full strap clamp range, so double ended clamps mix freely in the same fixture without a mismatch in hardness or finish.
Where Is a Double Ended Clamp Used?
- Fixtures where two workpiece features require independent clamping points closer together than two separate clamps allow
- Batch production fixtures holding two identical small parts simultaneously in a single setup
- Jig plates where the T-slot grid constrains stud positions to one location for two clamp requirements
- CNC machining centres and milling machines where reducing the clamp count per fixture reduces setup time
- Tool rooms building compact one-off fixtures for prototype and short-run parts
Best Suited For
| Application | Recommended? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two clamping points required within a confined area | Yes | Primary use case — one component, two contact points, one stud |
| Batch production fixtures (two parts per setup) | Yes | Halves the number of clamps required for two-part fixturing |
| Compact jig plates with limited T-slot access | Yes | One stud position serves two clamping requirements |
| Heavy roughing cuts requiring maximum clamp rigidity | Case-by-case | Verify that the symmetric profile provides adequate clamping force at your specific cut parameters |
| Single-point clamping on an open workpiece face | Not required | A standard strap clamp is simpler for single-point duty |
Double Ended Clamp vs Two Separate Strap Clamps
| Factor | Double Ended Clamp | Two Separate Strap Clamps |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp count | 1 component, 1 stud | 2 components, 2 studs |
| Footprint in fixture | Smaller — one stud location | Larger — two stud locations, two clamp bodies |
| Setup time | One fastener to tighten for two clamping points | Two fasteners, two step block adjustments |
| Independent force control | No — both ends load simultaneously from one stud | Yes — each clamp torqued independently |
| When to choose | Constrained fixture layout, batch fixturing of two small parts | Independent force needed at each contact point, or when clearance allows |
Technical Specifications
SKU: T1-DEC-1160 | Material: Medium carbon steel | Hardness: 24–32 HRC | Finish: Chemically blackened | Profile: Symmetric flat block with central stud hole | Compatible: Standard T-slot fixture plates and machine tables, all major VMC brands (BFW, ACE Micromatic, Jyoti, KENT, Lokesh, Haas)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a double ended clamp used for?
A double ended clamp provides two independent clamping points from one component and one stud position. It is used in CNC machining fixtures and jigs where two separate clamps cannot fit in the available fixture area. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Can a double ended clamp hold two separate workpieces?
Yes. A common use case is batch production fixturing where two identical small parts are held simultaneously in a single setup, with one end of the clamp contacting each part. This reduces the clamp count and setup time for repeat production runs.
Q: What is the difference between a double ended clamp and a standard strap clamp?
A standard strap clamp has one clamping nose and one mounting slot — one contact point per clamp per stud. A double ended clamp has a symmetric body with a contact surface at each end — two contact points from one stud position. Use the double ended clamp when you need two clamping points in a confined fixture area.
Q: Where can I buy a double ended clamp in Chennai?
Madras Engineering Works (MEW) stocks the Double Ended Clamp (T1-DEC-1160) for tool rooms and fixture builders across Chennai and South India. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Contact: enquiry@madrasengg.com or WhatsApp +91 95143 73702.
Get the Right Double Ended Clamp for Your Fixture
Madras Engineering Works stocks the Double Ended Clamp (T1-DEC-1160) for tool rooms and fixture builders across Chennai and South India. Same-day dispatch. ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain. TVS Authorised Dealer.
WhatsApp: +91 95143 73702 | Email: enquiry@madrasengg.com | Web: madrasengg.com
Written by Husain Aziz, Founder — Madras Engineering Works, Chennai. ISO 9001:2015 certified workholding and CNC accessories supplier since 1999.
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