klämma

Klämma is a Swedish noun that denotes a device designed to hold or secure objects by applying pressure. The term covers a broad family of tools and fixtures used in woodworking, metalworking, electronics, construction, and everyday tasks. The word derives from the verb klämma, meaning to pinch or squeeze.

Common types include hand clamps such as C-clamps and bar clamps used to secure workpieces during machining or gluing; spring clamps and quick-release clamps that provide temporary holding power; and locking clamps or locking pliers that can be set to stay closed. Smaller devices, such as clothespins or cable clips, are also referred to as klämmor in everyday Swedish usage. In medical and laboratory settings, clamps such as hemostats and vascular clamps are used to temporarily occlude or stabilize tissue and vessels.

Materials and construction typically involve metal—often carbon steel or stainless steel—with protective coatings, or high-strength plastics for lighter duty. Jaw surfaces may be smooth or serrated, and many clamps feature pads or rubberized surfaces to protect delicate workpieces and improve grip. Design considerations include jaw alignment, grip strength, even distribution of clamping force, ease of adjustment, and resistance to corrosion or heat in specialized applications.

Applications range from securing parts during assembly, gluing, soldering, or cutting, to temporarily holding cables and components in electrical work, carpentry, and laboratory experiments. In medical contexts, clamps play a temporary regulatory role during procedures by restricting blood flow or stabilizing tissues.