Patent ID: 7111720

Claim:
A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor for supporting the workpiece; a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor and having jaws thereon adapted for clamping the workpiece when a clamping force is applied thereto, wherein the shuttle vise comprises: a first vertical column; a second vertical column; an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns, wherein at least one of the jaws is movably disposed on the upper guide rail; and a clamping actuator for moving the one jaw into and out of clamping engagement with the workpiece and applying the clamping force thereto; and a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, wherein the reaction system comprises a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail, wherein the clamping actuator is attached to the clamping force bar such that clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.