Clamp grip

Releasable & Enhanced metal-to-metal friction joins and grip

Trib-Grip offers a releasable metal grip enhancement treatment for a broad range of applications.  Without using grit or surface roughening the applied fluid raises dynamic grip above the static level to progressively arrest slip without reducing load. Advantages include ease of application, near instant grip recovery, and enhanced tool function without the need to reduce load.

Many metal working processes are limited by grip between dry smooth metal surfaces, which can be erratic and frequently fails. Slip is a common problem in releasable metal friction joins. Now a patented anti-lubricant fluid can be used to counter slip and improve grip (e.g. in tool or work holders or shaft couplings) without reducing load. By improving grip the power applied to the tool can be increased.

For example, in OEM machining, metal removal rates can be raised and scrap rates reduced. The applied fluid improves the effectiveness of many metal object-gripping devices (e.g. shaft couplings, jig clamps, press-fit joins, tool or work holder chucks).

In MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) slip is eliminated in sliding adjustments like dead stops or motion sensor clamps shaft couplings etc.  

The key to the technology is the ability to control the surface chemistry of the metal interface with a low viscosity fluid that behaves as an anti-lubricant. The application method is dependent on the parts to be treated and ranges from a syringe through to impregnated pads in patent protected ‘all in one’ tools. 

The grey curve below shows a treated surface that behaves in the reverse and as slip starts its friction rises and this automatically arrests slip. 

The treatment works with any metal combination (similar/dissimilar) except copper & its alloys, flake cast iron and zinc plated steel. The same formula is used for all metals. Excess chemical can be easily wiped off or removed by solvent or soap water

The technology is a highly stable metallurgical process. It uses a chemical to instantly enhance asperity cold pressure welds (classic friction); it does not employ interlocking abrasives or curing adhesives, both of which can degrade over life if subjected to cyclical loading or temperatures.

The patented technology enables slip to be countered and grip improved in metal-to-metal gripping devices. Most of these situations involve high pressure contact and are encountered in couplings used in virtually every machine. Advantages include: 

·         Ease of application

·         Increased grip with increased load

·         Near instant grip recovery (in potential slip situations)

·         Progressively arrests slip without the need to reduce load

The broad range of metal-to-metal gripping and coupling markets includes: 

·         Machine tools

·         Process Machinery

·         Automotive & Aerospace

·         Wood working

·         Materials Handling

·         Construction

·         Wind energy & standby power

·         Pumps & Marine power

·         Yacht rigging 

The technology is especially useful with quick release ‘self gripping’ chucks that automatically tighten or relax depending on torque.

Application notes for Trib-Grip:

for more information email: info8@tribtech.com

The TribTech name derives from  "tribos" - Greek for 'rubbing'. 'TribTech' is a trade name used by Ball Burnishing Machine Tools Ltd. Registered Office 12 Brookmans Av. Hatfield, Herts. AL9 7QJ. United Kingdom;  Company Reg. No. 1408807, VAT Reg. No. 421 6210 04; a knowledge based company that develops, patents and licenses technology based on aspects of  tribology, the science of surfaces. All rights reserved by Ball Burnishing Machine Tools Ltd. Last modified:  01-Oct-2009 copyright © 1999/2009. The information and data provided herein should be considered generally representative for the tools and technologies described. In all cases users should carefully evaluate the tools and technologies to determine their suitability for a particular purpose.