Introduction to Pipe Clamp

Introduction:

Pipe clamps made in accordance to DIN 3015 standards are devices used to grip and support mechanical or structural parts. They are usually used for pipe and hose installations in applications such as hydraulics, power plant piping, fuel power, general industrial pipe construction, nuclear reactor construction, instrumentation and control technology and pneumatics. The key purpose of using the clamps is to reduce vibration and noise.

Pipe clamps usually consist of four components and they are the clamp shell body, cover plate, single weld plate and hexagon head bolts.

There are also a variety of other accessories available for pipe clamps. For example, the elongated weld plates, stacking bolts, mounting rails and rail nuts. These are used for different installation methods of the pipe clamps.

Material:

The materials that are normally used to make the clamp body are polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and aluminium (AL). Generally, polypropylene is green, polyamide is black, and aluminium is silver in color. The different colors help to differentiate the material that is being used. The clamp body however, can also be made in other materials upon request. As for the cover plate, single weld plate and hexagon head bolts; they are usually in either steel or stainless steel.

Series:

Pipe clamps come in three series and each has its own usage. Standard series which are made in accordance to DIN 3015 Part 1 are meant for light duty usage. Heavy series which are made in accordance to DIN 3015 Part 2 are meant for heavy duty usage. Last but not least, the twin series, which are made in accordance to DIN 3015 Part 3 are meant for light duty usage and space saving.

Range of sizes:

The size of a clamp varies according to the type of series. For standard series, the size ranges from 6mm to 102mm. For heavy series, the size ranges from 6mm to 406mm. Lastly, for twin series, the size ranges from 6mm to 42mm. When deciding which clamp series is appropriate for use, we have to first measure the external diameter of the pipe, tube or hose we are intending to have the clamp installed onto. The reading measurements for these are usually in metric sizes and the outer diameter size or nominal bore sizes are in inches. With the measurements of the pipe, tube or hose, an appropriate clamp series can then be recommended.

Installation of Pipe Clamps:

A common way of installing the clamps involves welding the weld plate or mounting rails to the floors, walls or ceilings. There are also other ways of securing the clamps without welding. An example is to use an elongated weld plate with bolts to secure the clamps.

Configurations of Pipe Clamp:

Some common types of assemblies used with the clamp shell body are as follow.

· Cover plate, hexagon head bolts and single weld plate

· Cover plate, hexagon head bolts and elongated weld plate

· Cover plate, hexagon head bolts and hexagon rail nuts

· Cover plate, safety locking plate and stacking bolts

· Single weld plate and socket cap screws

Brands of Pipe Clamps:

A highly recommended manufacturer for clamps is Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co. KG. Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer that has more than 50 years of specialized experience in manufacturing Stauff branded pipe clamps. Other reputable manufacturers for clamps include FKB GmbH & Pi.Effe.Ci.