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Safety Catcher Clamping Unit FAQs

The safety catcher and the ratio-clamp are both clamping units. One main difference is the fact that the safety catcher only holds vertical loads, while the Ratio-Clamp can hold vertical and horizontal load. This is because the safety catcher utilizes a self-energizing principle. Unlike the Ratio-Clamp, the safety catcher does experience a small amount of downward movement to generate the holding force, rather than clamping in the exact position. If you’re not sure which device is better for your system, contact an engineer for more information.

No. The safety catcher prevents falling on vertical, gravity-loaded axles when the power fails or the machine malfunctions. It is used as a safety device so that the load does not harm people, the equipment, or the environment. Because it uses a self-energizing principle to generate the holding force, it does not require power to work.

The safety catcher is certified through the DGUV Test, confirming that the clamping unit is tested as a safety-related component according to European standards such as EN ISO 16092-1/-3 for presses. It simplifies the risk assessment of the overall machine, as the protective function is officially proven. The holding load of the safety catcher for machines has a safety factor of at least 2 but does not exceed a safety factor of 2.8.

If your application requires specific safety certifications, reach out to us for more information.

Hydraulic Clamping Unit – Safety Catcher

The Hänchen Safety Catcher is used for clamping round rods in vertical, gravity-loaded axles. It ensures reliable safety mechanisms for stepless securing of loads at a standstill, as a safety component in case of emergency, or for effective fall protection.

The safety catcher mechanically locks based on a self-energizing principle and supports both compressive and tensile loads. Unlocking is achieved via hydraulic or pneumatic pressure.

Advantages of hydraulic rod locks

  • Fixes round rods of all types, in any position 
  • Securely clamps in the event of an occasional accident 
  • Clamping force without energy supply for an unlimited time 
  • Fixes axles in the event of power failure, drive or control errors 
  • IoT 4.0 compatible: can be equipped with 4 independent sensors

The holding load of the safety catcher for machines has a safety factor of at least 2, but does not exceed a safety factor of 2.8. It is certified through the DGUV Test, which confirms that the clamping unit is tested as a safety-related component according to European standards such as EN ISO 16092-1/-3 for presses. It simplifies the risk assessment of the overall machine, as the protective function is officially proven.

Various mounting flanges and sensor technology components are available as accessories. A functional rod with freely configurable piston rod ends can also be configured in Hänchen’s HäKo online product configurator.

Safety Catcher General Specifications

Rod Ø
(in) | [mm]

Permissibile Load
(lbf) | [kN]

Installation Length (1)
(in) | [mm]

Installation Length (2)
(in) | [mm]

Installation Diameter
(in) | [mm]

0.98
[25]

2248
[10]

5.98
[152]

6.10
[155]

2.80
[71]

1.10
[28]

3372
[15]

6.65
[169]

3.23
[82]

1.57
[40]

7419
[33]

8.31
[211]

8.43
[214]

4.17
[106]

1.97
[50]

11690
[52]

10.39
[264]

4.92
[125]

2.20
[56]

15062
[67]

10.81
[262]

10.43
[265]

5.51
[140]

2.48
[63]

22481
[100]

11.22
[285]

11.42
[290]

6.30
[160]

2.76
[70]

24055
[107]

11.89
[302]

6.77
[172]

3.15
[80]

29900
[133]

12.68
[322]

12.80
[325]

7.64
[194]

(1) Compressive load without centering collar
(2) Tensile load with centering collar

Hydraulic Safety Catcher Applications

  • Presses & punching machines: Prevents falling or sinking of heavy press loads, protecting the tooling as well as anyone who is operating the press
  • Machine tools: Secures heavy vertical axes and spindles against falling or sinking in the event of a failure
  • Robotics & portals: Holds tools and secures load in the event of drive failure
  • Intralogisitcs & lifts: Ensures safety for people and good when lifting systems fail

IC-Fluid Power supplies Hänchen safety catchers for hydraulic cylinders and press applications across construction, mechanical, technological, and industrial uses.

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