These machined clamps and cast clamps are used (in conjunction with a centering ring with fitted o-ring) for mating KF flanges. The KF (QF) flange is used for through- or foreline vacuum plumbing and for simple HV chamber ports.
Hinged Clamp assemblies, detailed above, ae the most commonly used method for making KF-Flange vacuum seal connections. Assembly is simplified by the 360° rotatable flanges and self-centering feature of the centering ring.
Pressure is applied uniformly around the 15° outer surface of both flanges by finger-tightening the single wingnut until the first metal-to-metal contact is made between the spacing lips of the centering ring and the inner surface of the mating flanges. This compresses the O'ring between the flanges and makes the vacuum seal.
KF Machined/Cast Clamps Features:
• Hinged, two-part device closed with a thumbscrew or wingnut;
• Machined clamps available in stainless st…