Quick Answer: The Mould Clamp with Heavy Support Bolt (MG-MCH) is a clamp block fitted with a separate heavy support bolt and lock nut, used to secure injection moulds to the platens of injection moulding machines. The support bolt bears load directly under the clamp arm, so the clamp does not rely on bolt bending alone to resist the mould's weight and clamping force. MG-MCH is available in 12 sizes, M12 to M24 bolt, built from medium carbon steel hardened to 24–32 HRC. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — ISO 9001:2015 certified. Enquiry: enquiry@madrasengg.com
A mould clamp is one of the few fixture components on an injection moulding machine where failure is not a scrapped part — it is a mould coming loose on a platen, sometimes under full clamping tonnage. 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). The Mould Clamp with Heavy Support Bolt (MG-MCH) is built specifically for this duty — not adapted from a general-purpose strap clamp. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Mould Clamp with Heavy Support Bolt?
MG-MCH is a solid carbon-steel clamp block that bolts down over the mould's clamping lug or edge, with a second, separate heavy support bolt threaded vertically through the block and locked in place with a hex lock nut. The support bolt bears directly on the platen (or a support surface) under the clamp arm. This matters mechanically: on a plain bolt-down clamp, the clamping bolt alone has to resist both the downward clamping load and any tendency of the arm to rock or lift at the free end. MG-MCH's support bolt takes that load instead, so the arm stays rigid and level under tonnage rather than flexing on the bolt shank.
MEW's MG-MCH is machined from medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, and chemically blackened. It ships in 12 sizes, with bolt sizes from M12 to M24 and matched support bolts from M16 to M27, each size also available with a short (S) or long (L) support bolt to suit different platen support depths.
Where Is It Used?
MG-MCH is used specifically on injection moulding machine platens, for clamping mould tools to the machine bed during production:
- Horizontal and vertical injection moulding machines, across all major platen sizes
- New mould installation and changeover on the production floor
- Plastic component manufacturers, die-casting shops, and electronics and packaging moulders running routine mould swaps
It is compatible with injection moulding machines from Haitian, L&T, Toshiba, Arburg, Engel, Fanuc, and all other major IMM brands, fitting standard platen T-slot and bolt-hole configurations.
Best Suited For: MG-MCH Size & Fit Table
Match the clamp bolt size and support bolt reach to your platen and mould lug thickness.
| Part No. | Bolt Size | Support Bolt | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG-MCH-1211SS | M12 | M16 x 55L | 0.7 kg |
| MG-MCH-1211SL | M12 | M16 x 90L | 0.75 kg |
| MG-MCH-1613OS | M16 | M20 x 60L | 1.3 kg |
| MG-MCH-1613OL | M16 | M20 x 90L | 1.35 kg |
| MG-MCH-1616OS | M16 | M20 x 60L | 1.55 kg |
| MG-MCH-1616OL | M16 | M20 x 90L | 1.6 kg |
| MG-MCH-2014OS | M20 | M24 x 60L | 2.1 kg |
| MG-MCH-2014OL | M20 | M24 x 100L | 2.2 kg |
| MG-MCH-2016OS | M20 | M24 x 60L | 2.4 kg |
| MG-MCH-2016OL | M20 | M24 x 100L | 2.9 kg |
| MG-MCH-20200 | M20 | M24 x 100L | 3.5 kg |
| MG-MCH-24200 | M24 | M27 x 100L | 5.0 kg |
MG-MCH is supplied with the clamp, support bolt, and lock nut. The T-bolt/stud, hex hi-nut, and washer needed to anchor the clamp to the platen T-slot are optional — confirm whether you need these added before ordering.
The Problem It Solves
A mould clamp failure during injection moulding is not a minor stoppage. If the clamp shifts or the mould lifts off the platen under clamping tonnage, the result is mould damage, machine damage, and a serious safety risk to anyone near the machine. Standard-duty clamps without a dedicated support bolt rely entirely on the clamping bolt to resist both compression and any rocking moment at the clamp's free end — under repeated tonnage cycles, that bolt can fatigue or the arm can work loose. MG-MCH's support bolt removes the rocking moment from the equation by giving the arm a second, independent bearing point, which is the reason MEW builds this as a dedicated IMM clamp rather than repurposing a general milling strap clamp for platen duty.
Mould Clamp with Support Bolt vs. Standard Strap Clamp
Both are bolt-down clamps; the difference is what happens to the arm under sustained clamping tonnage.
| Factor | MG-MCH (Support Bolt) | Standard Strap Clamp |
|---|---|---|
| Load path | Clamping bolt + independent support bolt bearing on the platen | Clamping bolt and stud carry the full load alone |
| Arm rigidity under tonnage | Stays level; support bolt resists rocking | Can flex at the free end under sustained load |
| Best for | Injection moulding machine platens, repeated clamp/unclamp cycles | Milling tables, presses, general fixture clamping |
| Adjustability | Support bolt height is set and locked per mould thickness | Height set by packing pieces or step blocks |
Technical Specifications
Material: Medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, chemically blackened
Clamp bolt sizes: M12, M16, M20, M24
Support bolt sizes: M16, M20, M24, M27 (matched to clamp bolt size)
Support bolt lengths: Short (S) and Long (L) variants per size
Available variants: 12 sizes, part numbers MG-MCH-1211SS through MG-MCH-24200
Weight range: 0.7 kg to 5.0 kg depending on size
Supplied as: Clamp, support bolt, and lock nut (T-bolt/stud, hex hi-nut and washer optional)
Compatible machine brands: Haitian, L&T, Toshiba, Arburg, Engel, Fanuc, and other major IMM brands
As of 2026, MEW stocks all 12 MG-MCH sizes ex-Chennai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a mould clamp with heavy support bolt used for?
A: It secures injection moulds to the platens of injection moulding machines. The separate support bolt bears load directly under the clamp arm, keeping the arm rigid under clamping tonnage instead of relying on the clamping bolt alone. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What size mould clamp do I need for an M20 platen bolt?
A: MG-MCH-2014, MG-MCH-2016, and MG-MCH-20200 all use an M20 clamp bolt, with support bolts from M24 x 60L to M24 x 100L depending on platen depth. Confirm your mould lug thickness and support surface depth before choosing between the short and long support bolt variants. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Why does a mould clamp need a separate support bolt?
A: Without it, the clamping bolt alone has to resist both the clamping load and any tendency of the arm to rock at its free end. The support bolt bears directly on the platen under the arm, keeping it level and reducing bolt fatigue over repeated clamp/unclamp cycles. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What happens if a mould clamp fails during injection moulding?
A: The mould can shift or eject from the platen under clamping tonnage, causing mould damage, machine damage, and a serious safety risk. This is why mould clamps are rated and specified deliberately rather than substituted with general-purpose clamps. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Which injection moulding machine brands is MG-MCH compatible with?
A: MG-MCH fits standard platen configurations on Haitian, L&T, Toshiba, Arburg, Engel, Fanuc, and all other major IMM brands. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What is the difference between MG-MCH and a standard strap clamp for mould platens?
A: A standard strap clamp relies on the clamping bolt and stud to carry the full load. MG-MCH adds an independent support bolt that bears on the platen under the arm, which keeps the clamp rigid under sustained clamping tonnage — the demand profile specific to injection moulding, not general milling or fixture work. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Where can I buy mould clamps in Chennai?
A: Madras Engineering Works (MEW) stocks all 12 MG-MCH sizes, M12 to M24 clamp bolt, ex-Chennai. MEW is ISO 9001:2015 certified and serves tool rooms and manufacturers across Tamil Nadu and South India. Contact: enquiry@madrasengg.com
Get the Right Mould Clamp for Your Platen
Whether you need a single mould clamp or a full set for a new IMM installation, Madras Engineering Works stocks MG-MCH for all standard platen bolt sizes from M12 to M24.
Same-day dispatch from Chennai.
ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain.
TVS Authorised Dealer.
📧 enquiry@madrasengg.com
🌐 madrasengg.com
📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Not sure which size fits your platen? WhatsApp your mould lug thickness and platen bolt size to +91 95143 73702 and we'll confirm the right MG-MCH combination.
Written by Husain, Founder of Madras Engineering Works — an ISO 9001:2015 certified industrial supplier in Chennai specialising in workholding, clamping and CNC accessories. Need help speccing the right part? WhatsApp +91 95143 73702 or email enquiry@madrasengg.com.
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