TM 5-3610-253-14
5-23.2 Clamp Assembly. Hydraulically activated. Clamps material tightly to force
air out and hold in position for cutting. It is comprised of:
a. Clamp. Presses and holds the material. Located adjacent to the knife. Moves
up and down. Returns to starting position by means of a spring fitted to the push
bar. Clamp rides in adjustable side guides.
b. Hydraulic clamp cylinder. Pushes the clamp downward via a system of angular
linkages and pulling bars. Protrudes from right bottom side of the machine and
presses the right angular linkage. (paragraph 5-23.5e)
c. Angular linkages. Control downward motion of the clamp. Connected to the
clamp via two pull bars. The other side of the linkages are connected to the push
bar. The hydraulic clamp cylinder pushes up on the right angular linkage. This
forces the push bar to move to the right, linkages pull the pulling bars and the
clamp down via the pivots.
d. Push bar.
Transmits force from right side angular linkage to left side
angular linkage.
e. Return spring. Applies force to the push bar to reverse motion of the push
bar and pushes the clamp back up. The spring is mounted on an adjustable rod attached
to left side of the machine frame. Tension is adjusted via an adjusting nut.
f. False clamp.
Provides larger clamp surface to prevent damage to paper.
5-301
