Orthopedic External Fixator Clamp Body

This clamp body is the load-bearing casting that holds a 5–8 mm threaded rod or ring-pin against the carbon-fiber ring of an external fixation system (Ilizarov / spatial-frame style). It is investment cast in 17-4PH and heat-treated to H1025 (~ 36 HRC) to balance high fatigue strength and ductility — the clamp must tolerate repeated micro-adjustments over many weeks of external wear without cracking. Each clamp body is CNC machined on all functional faces, then electropolished to remove heat-tint and optimise cleanability. The near-net-shape casting allows complex clamping geometry (multi-axis jaw, set-screw seat, threading boss) to be reproduced consistently across batches of 1,000–20,000 pieces for global orthopedic OEMs. This part is NOT an implantable — it is part of an external fixator assembly that sits outside the body.

Material Specifications

• Standard: 17-4PH (AISI 630 / ASTM A564 Grade 630 / EN 1.4542 / UNS S17400)
• Heat-treat condition: H1025 (≈ 36 HRC, ≥ 1,070 MPa UTS) — chosen for toughness and fatigue performance
• Composition reference: ASTM A564 Type 630; EN 10204 3.1 chemistry certificate
• Bio-compatibility screening: ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity report available on request
• Magnetic: Low / near-zero after H1025

Dimensional Capability & Tolerance

• Weight range: 25 g – 220 g
• Min. wall thickness: 1.5 mm
• As-cast linear tolerance: ISO 8062 CT5 (≈ ±0.10 mm / 25 mm)
• CNC post-machining: ±0.03 mm on thread seat, clamp jaw, set-screw bore; surface flatness ≤ 0.02 mm
• Clamping force test: each clamp validated to ≥ 1,500 N holding force on calibrated test rig before pack-out
• Inspection: 100% functional test + 100% visual; PPAP-style First Article Inspection Report (FAIR / ISIR) on every new lot

Surface Finish Options

• CNC finished: Ra 0.8 – 1.6 µm on functional faces
• Electropolishing: Ra ≤ 0.4 µm (standard for surgical contact)
• Passivation per ASTM A967: standard
• Black oxide or colour-anodised markings: optional for set-screw identification

Applications

• Ilizarov external ring fixator clamps
• Spatial-frame fixator assemblies (Hexapod / Taylor Spatial Frame compatible geometry)
• External fixator rail clamps
• Adjustable orthopedic braces and frames
• Veterinary orthopedic instruments

Why Choose Ningbo Ruican for This Part

• We understand fatigue-critical orthopedic hardware: 17+ years of stainless steel heat treatment; documented heat-treatment records per lot
• Tightening of UTS / elongation / hardness is verified per heat-treat batch (RP ≥ 1.16 / Rp0.2 ≥ 1,000 MPa typical)
• We support both OEM and contract-manufacturer programs with PPAP / FAIR and full ISO-style documentation
• Drawing-driven: we don’t sell from a catalogue — every fixator clamp is engineered to your STEP / IGES

Certifications & Regulatory Positioning

• IATF 16949 (valid)
• EN 10204 3.1 chemistry and mechanical certificates — supplied per lot
• FAIR / ISIR (PPAP equivalent) and dimensional report per lot
• Project-level ISO 13485 documentation packages supplied on request; Ningbo Ruican is not an ISO 13485 contract manufacturer