Glass Clamping System is a metal fixture specially used to fix and hang glass (such as glass curtain walls, glass guardrails, glass doors, glass tables, etc.). It is usually made of stainless steel (304/316) and has both high strength and corrosion resistance. Its core working principle is to ensure that the glass is stable and does not crack through mechanical clamping + pressure distribution. The following is a detailed analysis:
I. Core working principle
1. Mechanical clamping structure
- The clamp is usually composed of upper and lower splints (or left and right splints), and the glass is applied to uniform pressure through bolts/screws.
- The inside of the sandwich is equipped with elastic gaskets (EPDM rubber, silicone or nylon) to cushion pressure, prevent glass from direct contact with metal, and avoid stress concentration and shattering.
2. Pressure distribution design
- The clamping force is dispersed to the edge of the glass through the gasket to avoid excessive local pressure (the glass is pressure-resistant but not bending).
- The gasket can also absorb the small displacement caused by vibration and heat expansion and cold shrinkage to prevent glass cracking.
3. Suspension and load-bearing
- The top or side of the clamp connects the support structure (such as steel structure frame, boom, etc.) to transmit the weight of the glass to the main body of the building.
- Some clips are designed to be adjustable, allowing the horizontal/vertical position of the glass to be fine-tuned.
II. Typical application scenarios
1. Glass curtain wall hanging
- The clip is hidden at the glass seams, forming a "frameless" visual effect, such as the all-glass exterior walls of shopping malls and office buildings.
2. Glass guardrail/railing
- Clamp both sides of the glass panel and fix it on the handrail or floor base, which is commonly used on stairs and balconies.
3. Glass door/partition
- Hang a sliding door or revolving door through the top clip to achieve a light and transparent design.
4. Glass desktop/display cabinet
- Fix the countertop with an invisible clip to avoid the cover of the traditional bracket.
III. Key points of safety design
1. Calculation of clamping force
- The required clamping force should be calculated according to the glass thickness (such as 8mm/12mm), size and wind pressure (curtain wall) to ensure that it is both stable and not over-squeezed.
2. Edge processing
- The edge of the glass must be polished (chumfered or polished) to prevent stress concentration.
3. Heat expansion and cold shrinkage compensation
- The gasket needs to reserve elastic space to adapt to the small deformation of the glass caused by temperature changes.
4. Anti- loosening measures
- Use anti-loosening nuts or threaded glue to avoid bolts from loosening due to vibration.
IV. Notes on installation
1. Glass opening (if necessary)
- If the clamp needs to penetrate the glass (such as the point curtain wall), the hole must be drilled precisely and the edges must be polished to avoid cracks.
2. Torque control
- The bolts need to be tightened according to the designed torque (usually with a torque wrench), and excessive tightening will cause the glass to break.
3. Vertical calibration
- When hanging the glass, it needs to be adjusted with a level meter to avoid uneven tilting.
Sum up
Through the synergy of precision mechanical clamping and elastic cushioning, the stainless steel
glass clamp realizes the light aesthetics of glass architecture while ensuring safety. Its design requires comprehensive consideration of material mechanics, thermal expansion coefficient and construction details. It is a key component of "invisible force" in modern architecture.
