Quick Answer: A press mould clamp is a heavy-duty clamp built to hold injection moulds and dies securely to machine platens, using a clamp, fulcrum, and saddle assembly rather than a simple strap. MEW's MG-PMC series covers 12mm to 28mm T-slot widths with a clamping range from 0–65mm up to 0–100mm. Used on presses, plastic moulding machines, and milling and drilling machines. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — ISO 9001:2015 certified. Enquiry: enquiry@madrasengg.com
A mould clamp isn't a place to cut corners. If it fails during an injection moulding cycle, the mould can shift or eject from the platen — catastrophic mould damage, machine damage, and a real injury risk. The press mould clamp is built for this specific load and consequence, not adapted from a general-purpose clamp.
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).
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Press Mould Clamp?
A press mould clamp is a three-part heavy-duty clamp assembly: the clamp (the pressure-applying arm), the fulcrum (the pivot base that sits on the platen), and the saddle (a rolling contact point between the two). This saddle-and-fulcrum arrangement lets the clamp body self-level across varying mould or platen heights while keeping full, even contact — unlike a simple strap clamp, which only contacts at a fixed angle.
MEW's MG-PMC clamp, fulcrum, and saddle are high tensile S.G iron, enamelled in flame red for visibility. The T-bolt and flanged hex nut are medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–30 HRC and chemically blackened — these carry the actual clamping load. The clamp is supplied with a T-bolt as standard; a clamping stud is optional.
Where Is It Used?
- Injection moulding machines, clamping mould tools to platens
- Presses, for holding tools and dies
- Milling and drilling machines
Sizes Available — MG-PMC Series
| Part No | T-Slot | D x S | L x B | A | K | Range | T-Bolt Size | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG-PMC-1/12 | 12mm | 18 x 125 | 150 x 50 | 80 | 16 | 0–65mm | M12 x 12 x 125L | 1.65 |
| MG-PMC-1/14 | 14mm | 18 x 125 | 150 x 50 | 80 | 16 | 0–65mm | M12 x 14 x 125L | 1.7 |
| MG-PMC-1/16 | 16mm | 18 x 125 | 150 x 50 | 80 | 16 | 0–65mm | M16 x 16 x 125L | 1.75 |
| MG-PMC-2/18 | 18mm | 22 x 145 | 190 x 60 | 95 | 25 | 0–90mm | M16 x 18 x 200L | 3.25 |
| MG-PMC-2/20 | 20mm | 22 x 145 | 190 x 60 | 95 | 25 | 0–90mm | M20 x 20 x 200L | 3.45 |
| MG-PMC-2/22 | 22mm | 22 x 145 | 190 x 60 | 95 | 25 | 0–90mm | M20 x 22 x 200L | 3.5 |
| MG-PMC-3/24 | 24mm | 26 x 180 | 240 x 65 | 105 | 33 | 0–100mm | M24 x 24 x 200L | 4.85 |
| MG-PMC-3/28 | 28mm | 26 x 180 | 240 x 65 | 105 | 33 | 0–100mm | M24 x 28 x 200L | 4.95 |
Each part number is sized to a specific platen T-slot width and ships with its matched T-bolt. Not sure which size fits your platen? WhatsApp your T-slot width and we'll confirm.
Best Suited For
| Application | Recommended? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Injection moulding machine platens (Haitian, L&T, Toshiba, Arburg, Engel, Fanuc, and other major IMM brands) | Yes | Primary use case |
| Press machine bolster tables, die clamping | Yes | Rated for heavy platen clamping loads |
| Milling and drilling machine tables | Yes | Where heavy-duty clamping is needed |
| Light fixture work, small or delicate parts | No | Oversized for the load — a standard strap clamp is the economical choice |
The Problem It Solves
A mould clamp failure during injection moulding doesn't just cost a cycle — it causes the mould to shift or eject from the platen, resulting in catastrophic mould damage, machine damage, and a serious safety risk to anyone nearby. The forces involved in holding a mould against injection pressure are well beyond what a general-purpose strap clamp is rated for.
A heavy-duty press mould clamp, with its rated T-bolt and self-levelling saddle contact, is built specifically to prevent this failure mode.
Safety Note: This Is Not a Place to Substitute
Don't substitute a standard strap clamp for mould or die platen clamping to save cost. The consequence of an undersized or incorrect clamp here isn't a scrapped part — it's a mould ejecting from a platen under force. Match the clamp to the T-slot and clamping range your platen actually requires, and use the T-bolt size specified for that part number.
Press Mould Clamp vs Press Tool / Milling Clamp (PTMC)
Both are heavy-duty, high-tensile S.G iron clamps built for loads a standard strap clamp can't safely hold, and both share the flame-red enamelled finish for visibility on a busy floor. The difference is in the contact mechanism and the primary application.
The Press Tool / Milling Clamp uses a swivel nut that lets the pad pivot clear for fast tool and die changeover — its focus is press tool dies and heavy milling on large components. The press mould clamp uses a fulcrum-and-saddle assembly instead, which lets the clamp self-level across varying platen heights while keeping full contact — its focus is mould and die platen clamping specifically, on injection moulding machines as well as presses, milling, and drilling machines.
If you're clamping a mould to a platen, the press mould clamp's self-levelling contact is the right mechanism. If you're clamping a die or tool on a press bed or heavy mill with frequent changeover, the PTMC's swivel action is built for that instead.
Technical Specifications
- Clamp, fulcrum, and saddle: High tensile S.G iron, enamelled in flame red
- T-bolt and flanged hex nut: Medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24-30 HRC, chemically blackened
- Series: MEW-Grip MG-PMC
- T-slot range: 12mm to 28mm, 8 sizes
- Clamping range: 0-65mm (smallest sizes) up to 0-100mm (largest sizes)
- Weight range: 1.65kg (MG-PMC-1/12) to 4.95kg (MG-PMC-3/28)
- Supply: Supplied with T-bolt as standard; clamping stud is optional
As of 2026, the full MG-PMC range is in stock for Chennai dispatch.
FAQ
Q: What sizes does the press mould clamp come in?
A: MEW's MG-PMC series covers 12mm to 28mm T-slot widths across 8 sizes, with clamping range from 0-65mm to 0-100mm. Weight ranges from 1.65kg to 4.95kg. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What's the difference between a press mould clamp and a PTMC?
A: Both are heavy-duty S.G iron clamps for loads beyond a standard strap clamp. The press mould clamp uses a self-levelling fulcrum-and-saddle contact for mould and die platen clamping. The PTMC uses a swivel nut for fast changeover on press tool dies and heavy milling. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What does the fulcrum and saddle do?
A: The fulcrum is the pivot base that sits on the platen; the saddle is a rolling contact point between the fulcrum and the clamp arm. Together they let the clamp self-level across varying mould or platen heights while keeping full, even contact. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Does the press mould clamp come with a T-bolt?
A: Yes, it's supplied with a T-bolt as standard. A clamping stud is available as an optional alternative. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Is the press mould clamp compatible with my injection moulding machine?
A: It's compatible with Haitian, L&T, Toshiba, Arburg, Engel, Fanuc, and all other major IMM brands, for standard platen T-slot configurations. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Where can I buy a press mould clamp in Chennai?
A: Madras Engineering Works (MEW) stocks the full MG-PMC range for dispatch from Chennai. ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain. Contact: enquiry@madrasengg.com
Get the Right Press Mould Clamp for Your Platen
Whether it's a press mould clamp for injection moulding or a PTMC for press tool dies, Madras Engineering Works stocks workholding hardware rated for the load your application actually generates.
ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain.
TVS Authorised Dealer.
Same-day dispatch from Chennai.
Email: enquiry@madrasengg.com
Web: madrasengg.com
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Not sure which size fits your platen? WhatsApp your T-slot width and we'll confirm before you order.
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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