Quick Answer: A slotted clamp is an adjustable strap clamp with an elongated slot instead of a fixed bolt hole, letting the clamping stud position be moved along the slot to match the workpiece. MEW's MG-SC series covers M10 to M30 (11x75mm to 33x300mm), fitting standard 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm T-slot machine tables across all major VMC and milling brands. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — ISO 9001:2015 certified. Enquiry: enquiry@madrasengg.com
A fixed-hole strap clamp only works if the stud position happens to match your workpiece edge. When it doesn't — and on a general tool-room floor running different jobs daily, it often doesn't — you're stuck choosing between the wrong clamping point or swapping the clamp entirely. The slotted clamp removes that constraint at the design stage.
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 Slotted Clamp?
A slotted clamp is an adjustable strap clamp where the bolt hole is replaced with an elongated slot. Instead of clamping at one fixed point, the stud can be positioned anywhere along that slot, so the same clamp adapts to workpieces of different sizes without being swapped out.
MEW's MG-SC series is machined from medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, and chemically blackened for corrosion resistance — the same specification used across MEW's clamp range. It pivots on a step block or support the same way a standard strap clamp does, with the slot giving the added freedom to reposition the clamping point.
Where Is It Used?
- CNC machining centres and milling machines running varied workpiece sizes
- Tool rooms doing general-purpose clamping where bolt-hole-to-edge distance changes between jobs
- Setups where a fixed-hole clamp would need frequent swapping to match different parts
Sizes Available — MG-SC Series
| Part No | D x L (mm) | Screw Size | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG-SC-1175 | 11 x 75 | M10 | 0.2 |
| MG-SC-1195 | 11 x 95 | M10 | 0.25 |
| MG-SC-14100 | 14 x 100 | M12 | 0.45 |
| MG-SC-14115 | 14 x 115 | M12 | 0.55 |
| MG-SC-18120 | 18 x 120 | M16 | 0.85 |
| MG-SC-18135 | 18 x 135 | M16 | 1.0 |
| MG-SC-22140 | 22 x 140 | M20 | 1.4 |
| MG-SC-22150 | 22 x 150 | M20 | 1.55 |
| MG-SC-26200 | 26 x 200 | M24 | 2.95 |
| MG-SC-26240 | 26 x 240 | M24 | 3.55 |
| MG-SC-33250 | 33 x 250 | M30 | 4.4 |
| MG-SC-33300 | 33 x 300 | M30 | 5.2 |
Match the screw size (M10–M30) to your existing T-bolt or clamping stud. Not sure which size your setup needs? WhatsApp your T-slot and stud size and we'll confirm.
Best Suited For
| Machine | T-slot Width | Stud Thread | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFW BMV 45+ / 50 | 14mm | M12 | MG-SC-14100 / 14115 |
| ACE Micromatic MCV-400 / 450 | 14mm | M12 | MG-SC-14100 / 14115 |
| Jyoti VMC 850 / NVU | 14mm | M12 | MG-SC-14100 / 14115 |
| Haas VF-2 / VF-3 | 16mm | M16 | MG-SC-18120 / 18135 — confirm slot |
| FANUC ROBODRILL | 14mm | M12 | MG-SC-14100 / 14115 |
Compatible with standard T-slot machine tables across all major VMC and milling machine brands with 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm T-slot configurations.
The Problem It Solves
Fixed-hole strap clamps require a specific stud-to-edge distance. If that distance doesn't match the workpiece in front of you — which happens constantly on a floor running mixed jobs — you either force an awkward clamping point or go find a different clamp. Neither is a good use of setup time.
A slotted clamp eliminates this constraint. The clamping point slides along the slot to wherever the workpiece actually needs it, so one clamp covers a range of jobs instead of one fixed dimension.
Slotted Clamp vs Fixed-Hole Strap Clamp
Both apply the same downward clamping force through a T-bolt or stud. The difference is entirely in positioning flexibility.
A fixed-hole strap clamp — like MEW's flat strap clamp range — has the bolt hole at a set position. It's the right choice when you're running the same part repeatedly and the stud-to-edge distance never changes; it's simpler and there's nothing to slide or lock in place.
A slotted clamp trades that simplicity for flexibility. The elongated slot means one clamp adapts to a range of workpiece sizes, which is the better economics when your floor runs varied jobs rather than one repeated part — you stock fewer clamp variants and spend less time hunting for the right one mid-setup.
The practical rule: repeated, identical parts — a fixed-hole clamp is fine. Varied jobs on the same machine — the slotted clamp earns its slightly higher cost back in setup time.
Technical Specifications
- Material: Medium Carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24-32 HRC, Chemically Blackened
- Series: MEW-Grip MG-SC
- Size range: M10 to M30 (11x75mm to 33x300mm), 12 sizes
- Weight range: 0.2kg (MG-SC-1175) to 5.2kg (MG-SC-33300)
- T-slot compatibility: 12mm, 14mm, 16mm standard T-slot machine tables
As of 2026, the full MG-SC range is in stock for Chennai dispatch.
FAQ
Q: What sizes does the slotted clamp come in?
A: MEW's MG-SC series covers M10 to M30 across 12 sizes, from 11x75mm (0.2kg) to 33x300mm (5.2kg). Match the size to your existing T-bolt or clamping stud thread. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What's the difference between a slotted clamp and a flat strap clamp?
A: A flat strap clamp has a fixed bolt hole at a set position. A slotted clamp has an elongated slot, letting the clamping stud be repositioned to fit different workpiece sizes with the same clamp. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What T-slot sizes does the slotted clamp fit?
A: It's compatible with standard T-slot machine tables across all major VMC and milling brands with 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm T-slot configurations. Most Indian-made VMCs under 1000mm table size use 14mm with M12 studs; Haas VF-series machines use 16mm/M16. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: When should I use a slotted clamp instead of a fixed-hole clamp?
A: Use a slotted clamp when your setup runs varied workpiece sizes and the stud-to-edge distance changes job to job. For repeated, identical parts, a fixed-hole strap clamp is simpler and sufficient. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Where can I buy a slotted clamp in Chennai?
A: Madras Engineering Works (MEW) stocks the full MG-SC range for dispatch from Chennai. ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain. Contact: enquiry@madrasengg.com
Get the Right Size Slotted Clamp for Your Setup
Whether it's a slotted clamp for varied workpiece sizes or a fixed-hole clamp for repeated jobs, Madras Engineering Works stocks workholding hardware for all standard VMC and milling machine T-slot sizes.
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 T-slot? WhatsApp your machine details 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.
0 comments