Practical quick-release fasteners designed specifically for aluminum profiles
Toggle Clamps for Trades, Mechanical Engineering, and Industry
RUWI toggle clamps secure workpieces, brackets, and stops tool-free in the grooves of aluminum profiles, grooved tables, and clamping plates, for grooves 6, 8, and 10. Instead of turning a wing screw, you simply flip an eccentric lever and, depending on the size, achieve a clamping force of up to 4 kN clamping force in seconds—rather than having to turn the screw multiple times. This saves a noticeable amount of time when frequently changing workpieces and stops, both in the workshop and in fixture and machine construction.
Which toggle clamp is right for your slot?
The choice depends on the groove width of your profile and the thickness of the component. Three sizes cover the standard range:
- Ø 15 mm for slot 6: compact with a height of 34 mm, clamping range 0 to 6 mm, and approximately 1.5 kN, for small profiles and light-duty applications. Also available with an external thread and clamping nut.
- Ø 20 mm for Slot 8 and Slot 10: the medium size with a height of 44 mm, a clamping range of 0 to 8 mm, and approximately 2.5 kN. For Slot 8, also available with a long stroke (3 to 12 mm) and with an external thread.
- Ø 30 mm for Slot 8 and Slot 10: the most robust size, with a height of 63 mm, a clamping range of 2 to 14 mm, and a force rating of approximately 4 kN. For Slot 8, also available with a long stroke (14 to 26 mm).
The clamps fit Item, Bosch, and other system profiles, as well as groove tables and clamping plates. The only factor that matters is the groove width—not the profile size or manufacturer. If you want to get started quickly, choose the Starter Set for Groove 6 or Groove 8.
Technical Design and Operation
You insert the clamp into the groove from above at any point; you do not need to slide it in from the end of the profile. You press it down against the spring force, rotate it 90 degrees, and flip the lever. As you do this, the eccentric pulls the hammer nut against the undercut of the profile groove, where it fits securely and is additionally clamped in place by the “ clamping force .”
- Eccentric lever: The short lever arm multiplies the applied force; approximately 90 to 120 N is sufficient.
- Knurled ring: It adjusts the clamping range continuously to the thickness of the component.
- Materials: Main body made of burnished steel, galvanized hammer nut, eccentric lever made of powder-coated cast aluminum, manufactured in Germany.
This keeps the stops and workpieces firmly in place during drilling, milling, or assembly.
Ergonomics and Cost-Effectiveness
You only need one hand to clamp it in place: Just flip the lever while your other hand holds the workpiece. You don’t have to look for a tool, and you can tell by the resistance of the lever whether the clamp is secure. Each clamping operation takes only seconds. This reduces setup time and causes less fatigue when you’re changing setups frequently. And because it’s so quick, you’ll clamp workpieces even in situations where you’d otherwise skip it due to time constraints.
In terms of price, the clamps are more expensive than simple T-slot nuts with wing screws. However, when working with frequently changing workpieces, in mass production, and in fixture construction, the time saved on setup quickly offsets the higher cost. Where a stop is set once and remains in place for a long time, the simple slot nut is sufficient.
Areas of Application
- Woodworking and Workshop: Secure stops and the machine vise to drilling and milling tables; clamp workpieces and gluing frames.
- Metalworking and Mechanical Engineering: Fixture manufacturing, sensor mounts, stop strips in profile racks, quick changeovers.
- CNC and Automation: Stops and hold-down devices on slotted tables, flexible clamping points in systems.
- Workstation and Trade Show Construction: Quickly assemble and disassemble lean workstations, trade show walls, and structures made of aluminum profiles.
- Training and Continuing Education: Repeatedly assembling and disassembling structures in the training workshop without using tools.
Accessories and compatible RUWI products
- Clamping bracket with toggle clamp: connects tool-free profiles at a right angle.
- adapter plate With two toggle clamps: connects parallel profiles without the need for screws.
- Toggle clamp with external thread and clamping nut: Screws securely into components such as stops, handles, or plates; available in Ø 15 mm or Ø 20 mm.
- Nut 6 and Nut 8 Starter Sets: Clamps, clamping brackets, and adapter parts, all sorted in a box.
- RUWI drilling tables with grooves into which the toggle clamps engage directly.
Buying Guide
Three questions will help you choose the right model. First, the slot width of your profile: For Slot 6, the Ø 15 is available; for Slot 8 and Slot 10, you can choose between Ø 20 and Ø 30. Second, clamping force and clamping range: The Ø 20 is suitable for most applications, while the Ø 30 is designed for higher forces. For thicker components or deeper slots, use the long-stroke version, which is available for Slot 8. Third, the accessories: Do you need clamping brackets, adapter plate, or a clamp with an external thread? If you’re unsure, call us at +49 7402 8414—we’ll help you make the right choice.
