Patent ID: 7137632
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: B23B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A force limiting workpiece holding device for use in holding a workpiece in a workpiece processing assembly having a spindle and a hydraulic closer that applies a force, the workpiece holding device comprising: a workpiece holder slidably mountable to the spindle, the workpiece holder including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between gripping and released positions to grip and release a workpiece; and a force limiting coupling structure including a biasing structure having a spring force, the coupling structure operatively mountable between the workpiece holder and the hydraulic closer such that a force applied by the hydraulic closer to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder from the released to the gripping positions is transferred to the workpiece holder through the biasing structure thereof, wherein the force limiting coupling structure is constructed and arranged to limit a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the hydraulic closer to move the segments toward the gripping position to the spring force of the biasing structure.