The Sheet Metal Clinching Technology of Jurado Clinching Tools
Jurado is a company based in Italy specialized in manufacturing clinching machines. The company was granted national and international patents for the design and development of innovative clinching tools and techniques. Jurado is the exclusive manufacturer of all the patented clinching equipment and machines designed by our company (explore our products).
Our innovative technology aims to optimize manufacturing processes, in terms of cost reduction, improvement of safety, quality control, time optimization, and environmental sustainability. Clinching technology and machines are a viable and innovative solution to replace traditional welding in many industrial fields.
Jurado’s standard and specialized clinching solutions are available worldwide. We also offer support and a twelve month warranty.
About Clinching
Clinching is an innovative process for the joining of sheet metal. It is based on the deformation of sheet metal between a punch and a die without the need for added materials like: pegs, screws, rivets, bolts or nuts. By pressing the punch and die with substantial force into the sheet metal, a button forms the “point” of the joint, and the shape of the sheet metal joint can be adjusted depending on the chosen tool kit dimensions.
Clinching technology is a result of an extraordinary breakthrough in industrial engineering (read more on Wikipedia).
It has been shown that two or more sheets of industrial material can be successfully fastened together by means of a tool that squeezes the two sheets between a punch and a die which exert a localized pressure. A certain amount of pressure combined with particular geometrical shape and dimension of the clinching tool determines the joint of the materials. The joint is an interlock between the sheets of metal, formed by the clinching machine.
Clinching remains the subject of tireless research and studies. The engineers at Jurado are committed to improve clinching processes, and therefore clinching machines, in order to extend clinching technology to other industrial fields.
Clinching has undoubtedly become a revolutionary solution for manufacturing. Taking clinching performance to the next level is now a priority for those sectors which still have no other choice than to rely on traditional welding.
For this reason, Jurado has partnered with the Italian University of L’Aquila – Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics. Our company and the University agreed to continue research and experimentation, by combing the clinching tool knowledge of brilliant engineering students and Jurado.
As a result of this partnership, students are given scholarships and internships in the field of “Theoretical and experimental development of methods studies for analysis and improvement of the joining process by clinching”.
How Clinching Works: “Point” Types
The sheet metals pressed between the punch and the die are deformed, forcing the material to extend laterally up until they create a button or “point”. The shape of the “point” can be trapezoidal or rounded which are created with a trapezoidal or round punch and die. The “point” shape and performances vary according to the characteristics of the clinching tool used. Clinching tools and their interlock points should be carefully selected according to the type of material and the thickness of the metal sheets, in order to guarantee the highest performance.
- A round point creates a hermetic joint, with extraordinary uniform stress resistance in all directions and an excellent appearance.
- A trapezoidal point permits joining sheet metal with low ductility like stainless steel. It is highly recommended when clinching more than two metal sheets.
Clinching Tools for Joining Sheet Metal and Hybrid Materials
Clinching machines are suitable for joining a wide range of different materials such as low carbon steel, high strength steel, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys, copper, titanium alloys, hybrid joints between metals, and between metal and polymer.
Clinching can also be applied to metals with a coated surface, such as galvanized sheet metal, plastic-coated and pre-painted. So far, plastic is not suitable for clinching process.
Clinching is an instant joining process and excessive heat is not required. We do not recommend using sheet metal heating methods before the clinching process, in order for the clinching tools to create the best possible joint.
Jurado Clinching Tools Applications
Clinching is a reliable way to join many types of sheet metal components. Clinching is a sort of “unconventional welding technique”. Metalwork and welding were initially important in human culture, and now as the manufacturing industry grows, clinching brings the world towards further progress and innovation among numerous sectors of industry.
Automotive and Transport
Clinching is becoming a huge trend in automotive, where it finds numerous applications, especially in automotive parts manufacturing. Nowadays clinching machines play a key role in component fabrication of transportation, such as: vehicles, trains, railways, carriages, aircraft, boats and ships.
Manufacturers and suppliers are even experimenting with clinching as a solution for lightweight construction in aerospace, automotive and railway sectors.
Construction and Civil Engineering
Clinching tools are used to fabricate building machinery such as excavator, cranes, and other equipment used in the construction industry.
Agricultural Equipment
Agriculture machinery is undergoing now a huge evolution, as environmental attention increases and sustainability is promoted in all industrial and economical sectors. Clinching machines provide a viable solution to agricultural equipment manufacturing.
Household Appliances and Electronics
Sheet metal joining is commonly used in the manufacturing of household appliances and electronics. Clinching is widely replacing welding techniques worldwide.
Mechanical Engineering
The innovation of clinching technology is becoming increasingly important during the design and manufacturing of mechanical systems. Clinching machines play a key role in the production of the various components and the joining of metal parts.
Medical Engineering
This sector is among the most promising in our present industrial climate. New technologies, such as clinching, are the basis of the study, design, and implementation of new medical machinery designed to achieve a breakthroughs in the healthcare field.
Energy Production and Chemicals
Clinching technology is most prominent in the chemical and energy production industries. It is useful in renewable energy contexts or traditional sources of energy like oil and gas. Within these economic sectors, the joining of metal sheets must meet the industry standards. Clinching tools achieve strong interlock joint that is resistant to weather and chemicals.
Jurado Clinching Tools Products
Jurado designs a wide variety of sheet metal clinching machines, each suitable for specific materials and manufacturing industries. The range of our clinching tools can be classified as static equipment or mobile equipment.
Our mobile sheet metal clinching machines are efficient, incredibly light and versatile. They suit any assembly process, because they allow the operator perform the joint between two or more sheets of metal very quickly and with no effort, unlike traditional welding techniques.
Our static clinching tool is used to join thicker sheets of metal.
Here are our patented products, produced exclusively by Jurado, and a description of their features.
Static Clinching Tools
Jurado produces one static clinching machine, it is able to perform interlock joints on big and thick metal sheets.
CB500 Static Clinching Machine
This machine has a wide opening for the punch and die components. It is able to joint together large metal pieces. It also comes with a pneumatic pressure booster. The machine can be operated by two pedals. The CB500 clinching tool is able to perform both round and trapezoidal interlock points.
Mobile Clinching Tools
Jurado produces several mobile clinching machines with different features, each suitable for specific manufacturing purposes and processes.
Cobra
The Cobra is specifically designed to clinch complex sheets of metal. The manual opening system allows the operator to perform a solid interlock joint between two sheets with an irregular surface such as U-shaped pieces and corners. Thanks to its specialized design, the Cobra enables operate in tight spaces.
Mouse X60 – X22 – X 30
The Mouse system is a set of clinching tools which can be customized according to costumer’s needs. For instance, the size of the pliers, punch and die features, and the hydraulic thrust can be customized. The geometric shape of the point can be round or trapezoidal according to the specific purpose and metal sheets thickness. Mouse sheet metal clinching machines are provided both in the static and in the mobile version.
Mouse machine systems have C-shaped pliers, with the piston is placed on the same axis of the die. It is specifically designed to perform clinch interlock on corners and U-shaped profiles. It permits joining thick sheets of metal, up to 4 mm. It is a handy clinching tool thanks to its double handle which can be adjusted to the front, top or rear position. Mouse X60 can be equipped with various types of tools and balance torque.
Shark
It is a suspended compact machine installed on a gyroscope which permits rotating the clinching machine 360° to clinch metal sheets. It is particularly suitable to assemble components for ventilation and air channeling systems. The Shark performs the trapezoidal points up to 3 sheets of 1.2 mm thickness and round points on 2 sheets with a thrust of 35 kN.
Python LA
These pliers are able to perform points even in inaccessible areas. Thanks to its mechanical opening system, the Python LA is able to overcome obstacles such as a folded edges and perform interlock points. The Python LA is a powerful clinching tool, with a clamping force of up to 35kn. It is installed on a gyroscope support and can be equipped with tool kits for round and trapezoidal points and with custom die shapes.
Condor 2A
This machine acts through perforation. It cuts the sheet of metal on three sides, thus creating a flap that is folded on the underlying sheet. Its shape allows it to be easily used in the production of filters for air treatment systems. It is a great alternative to spot welding and the riveting and is particularly suitable for the joining of extremely thin sheet metal. The Condor 2A applications mainly are: air filters, refrigeration, household appliances.
Python
The Python is a portable light-wight sheet metal clinching machine. Thanks to its thrust of 35 kN it can join together sheets of total thickness up to 3.6 mm. The hydraulic cylinder is positioned off axis of clinching, and the elevated opening size make it a versatile machine capable of performing high-resistance points in a large number of situations. It can be equipped with tool kits for round and trapezoidal points, and with dies of different height and size. This enables it to achieve the best point for each of the sheet thickness.
Pirana
An extremely lightweight clinching machine able to assemble sheet metal up to a total thickness of 2.0 mm. Its lightness and compactness make it a versatile and flexible machine able to adapt to a great variety of work situations. This is in part due to the ability to have the alignment of the head in three different configurations, with respect to the axis of the handle: straight, staggered and 90°. The Pirana is mainly suitable for metal furniture manufacturing and refrigeration machines. It can be provided with a balance dynamometer. It can be used for both round and trapezoidal points.
Mangusta
It is our first sheet metal clinching machine with a built-in pressure booster. The Mangusta is a low-weight, versatile, and flexible machine. It can be used in three different geometrical configurations depending on the alignment of the head relative to the axis of the handle. It can be equipped with torque balancing, and it can create both the trapezoidal point and the round point.