Con Forms Couplings: Snap & Two-bolt Clamp Considerations
The most used clamp in the pumping industry is the snap clamp. Snap couplings are fast, easy to open or close, and do not require tools. Con Forms has recently changed its snap clamps from cast steel to forged steel, giving our customers a stronger clamp and higher-pressure ratings. These clamps come in both adjustable and non-adjustable configurations.
Adjustable Snap Clamps are preferred as they can be loosened and tightened by the user to help open and close the clamp. It is important to monitor the threads on the eyebolt and nut that make the clamp adjustable; they can easily get concrete and debris on them. The eyebolt and nut must be cleaned and maintained, or the clamp may be unable to open and close properly. The clamp must be closed tightly. If the clamp halves are not close together, the clamp will not be fully engaged with the ends of the delivery hose or pipe. This could allow the ends to pull out of the clamp or the clamp to break if the delivery line plugs, or if the line is put under mechanical forces such as dragging or lifting.
Non-Adjustable Snap Clamps have a solid link that will allow the clamp to close and fully engage with the ends on the delivery system. This clamp has been gaining popularity because when it is closed, the user knows it is tight and has good engagement with the delivery system.
The last thing to remember about your snap clamps is to make sure you use safety pins to pin the clamp handle to the body. The safety pin ensures the clamp handle does not inadvertently open while pumping or moving the delivery system. This safety pin is a commonly desired feature by contractors and safety professionals to help prevent clamp disengagement during concrete placement.
Two-bolt Clamps: On high-pressure pumping jobs, large infrastructure projects, and high rises, the two-bolt clamp is the clamp of choice. Conforms has recently changed its two-bolt, cast steel clamps to a forged steel, two-bolt clamp. This provides our end users with the highest clamp pressure ratings and the toughest clamp in the industry.
Two-bolt clamps are mostly used on delivery systems that will stay in place for a while, or in areas where the delivery system is not easily accessible. The bolts on the two-bolt clamps must be tightened to draw the two clamp halves together closely to ensure full engagement with the delivery system ends. The two-bolt clamps even have a torque value for the bolts to ensure they are tight. For more information on these torque values, please contact us.
