A gripping apparatus for holding a workpiece in a working orientation, the gripping apparatus comprising: fluid-operated first, second, and third actuators (32A-32C) that are equally spaced about a perimeter of the workpiece, wherein each actuator (32A-32C) comprises an actuator rod (36A-36C) coupled with a moveable piston (34A-34C) arranged to move within a cylinder (38A-38C) having an extend chamber (40A-40C) and a retract chamber (42A-42C), and is configured to be coupled to a single pressurized fluid source; first, second, and third end effectors (44A-44C) pivotally coupled with the actuator rods (46A-46C) of the first, second, and third actuators (32A-32C), respectively, wherein each end effector (44A-44C) is configured to contact a surface of the workpiece at exactly two points (68A-1, 68A-2), characterized in that the gripping apparatus further comprises: a fluid circuit configured to: (i) supply pressurized fluid to the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator during a closing stroke of the gripping apparatus, (ii) inhibit backflow of pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) toward the pressurized fluid source, (iii) maintain a same fluid pressure within the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) while the workpiece is held by the gripping apparatus, (iv) release pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during an opening stroke of the gripping apparatus, and (v) supply pressurized fluid to the retract chamber (42A-42C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during the opening stroke of the gripping apparatus; and a structural mounting ring, wherein the first, second, and third fluid-operated actuators (32A-32C) are mounted to the structural mounting ring; and a pivotable backstop centrally arranged within or proximate to an opening of the structural mounting ring, the backstop configured to contact an end face of the workpiece. fluid-operated first, second, and third actuators (32A-32C) that are equally spaced about a perimeter of the workpiece, wherein each actuator (32A-32C) comprises an actuator rod (36A-36C) coupled with a moveable piston (34A-34C) arranged to move within a cylinder (38A-38C) having an extend chamber (40A-40C) and a retract chamber (42A-42C), and is configured to be coupled to a single pressurized fluid source; first, second, and third end effectors (44A-44C) pivotally coupled with the actuator rods (46A-46C) of the first, second, and third actuators (32A-32C), respectively, wherein each end effector (44A-44C) is configured to contact a surface of the workpiece at exactly two points (68A-1, 68A-2), characterized in that the gripping apparatus further comprises: a fluid circuit configured to: (i) supply pressurized fluid to the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator during a closing stroke of the gripping apparatus, (ii) inhibit backflow of pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) toward the pressurized fluid source, (iii) maintain a same fluid pressure within the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) while the workpiece is held by the gripping apparatus, (iv) release pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during an opening stroke of the gripping apparatus, and (v) supply pressurized fluid to the retract chamber (42A-42C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during the opening stroke of the gripping apparatus; and a structural mounting ring, wherein the first, second, and third fluid-operated actuators (32A-32C) are mounted to the structural mounting ring; and a pivotable backstop centrally arranged within or proximate to an opening of the structural mounting ring, the backstop configured to contact an end face of the workpiece. a fluid circuit configured to: (i) supply pressurized fluid to the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator during a closing stroke of the gripping apparatus, (ii) inhibit backflow of pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) toward the pressurized fluid source, (iii) maintain a same fluid pressure within the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) while the workpiece is held by the gripping apparatus, (iv) release pressurized fluid from the extend chamber (40A-40C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during an opening stroke of the gripping apparatus, and (v) supply pressurized fluid to the retract chamber (42A-42C) of each actuator (32A-32C) during the opening stroke of the gripping apparatus; and a structural mounting ring, wherein the first, second, and third fluid-operated actuators (32A-32C) are mounted to the structural mounting ring; and a pivotable backstop centrally arranged within or proximate to an opening of the structural mounting ring, the backstop configured to contact an end face of the workpiece.