Patent ID: 6354581
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B23C,B23Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A device for clamping an elongated workpiece for processing, the workpiece having a longitudinal axis, the device comprising:a conveyor arranged to convey the workpiece a central path to a workstation, the central path being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece; a pair of elongated clamps oriented generally parallel to and straddling the path; a plurality of members, each of the members having a pair of vertical arms spaced apart relative to the path, each of the arms operatively engaging a corresponding one of the elongated clamps; and an actuator operatively connected to the plurality of members; whereby in response to operation of the actuators the elongated clamps are shiftable in unison between a first position in which each of the elongated clamps is shifted away from the path and a second position in which each of the elongated clamps is shifted toward the path, thereby clamping and centering the workpiece at the workstation.