Pneumatic Clamping Tools for Greater Flexibility in Manufacturing Processes
27.08.2026
Until now, mechanical and hydraulic actuation options have been available. At AMB 2026, from September 15 to September 19, 2026, in Stuttgart, WILHELM KÖNIG MTM will present its pneumatic clamping tools – which support fully automated manufacturing processes.
WILHELM KÖNIG MTM, recognized by DDW (www.die-deutsche-wirt-schaft.de) as the global market leader in hydraulic, mechanical, and hydromechanical special clamping solutions, is expanding its portfolio of clamping systems with an additional pneumatic actuation option. This means that, in addition to mechanical and hydraulic actuation methods, pneumatic solutions will also be available to users in the future.
The proven clamping mechanism itself remains unchanged. Only the possibilities for integration into automated manufacturing processes are being expanded.
The pneumatic actuation option can be used in both manual and automated processes.
Expansion of Existing Automation Concepts
The company’s clamping systems can already be actuated automatically by machines today, for example, through mechanical control via pushing or pulling forces, as well as hydraulic systems. With the new development, pneumatic actuation is now added as an additional variant. This does not introduce a new functional principle, but rather supplements the existing platform with another standardized actuation method.
Pneumatics as an Additional Actuation Method
The pneumatic actuation option enables the clamping and releasing of systems via compressed air. Compared to hydraulic or mechanical actuation methods, pneumatics offers particular advantages in applications where compressed air is already available as an operating medium and simple integration into existing system structures is required. This reduces the integration effort into existing manufacturing facilities. At the same time, the proven properties of the clamping technology regarding precision, repeatability, and process reliability are fully maintained, explain the experts at WILHELM KÖNIG MTM.
Accordingly, the pneumatically actuated clamping tool is used, among other things, in common machining processes such as gear grinding and external cylindrical turning, as well as measuring and assembly.
Flexible Use: Manual and Automated
The pneumatic actuation option can be used in both manual and automated processes: Manual applications can be quickly and easily triggered by compressed air. Automated applications are achieved by integration into machine and system controls. Manual operation provides additional flexibility to trigger the clamping tool at short notice, in addition to automated machining processes. This allows the pneumatically actuated clamping system to be flexibly adapted to different manufacturing environments and levels of automation.
Five Advantages for Manufacturing
The combination of an oil-free system design and pneumatic triggering offers several advantages: from media-independent use without hydraulic infrastructure and simple integration into existing compressed air systems, to fast and reproducible actuation, secure separation between clamped and released states, and high flexibility between manual operation and automation.
Users Choose Mechanical, Hydraulic, or Pneumatic
With the pneumatic actuation option, WILHELM KÖNIG MTM expands its existing clamping technology portfolio and thus the automation possibilities of its clamping systems with a practical solution. Depending on the machine and system concept, users can choose between mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuation without having to forego the proven clamping technology. This allows existing manufacturing processes to be flexibly adapted to different requirements and levels of automation.
