Method for clamping and subsequently machining a disk or ring-shaped workpiece

A method of machining an annular workpiece, said workpiece having an inner diameter and a central axis, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing said workpiece in a workholder, said workholder having a contact surface and an elastomeric material attached to a portion of said contact surface;
• placing a resilient biasing member adjacent said inner diameter of said workpiece;
• and
• imposing a locking force on said resilient biasing member whereby said resilient biasing member deforms to generate a locking force component in a direction away from said contact surface and a locking force component in a direction traverse to said central axis whereby said locking force holds said workpiece for machining thereof.

A clamping device for accurately clamping an annular workpiece having an inner surface, said clamping device comprising:

• a workholder having an end face;
• an opposite end face;
• and an aperture formed from said end face through said opposite end face, said aperture having a central axis;
• a base support member mounted to said workholder for supporting said workholder, said base support member having a sleeve portion extending into said aperture of said workholder in a direction towards said end face of said workholder, said sleeve portion terminating in a radial flange projecting radially inward towards said central axis and defining an aperture in said base support member, said aperture having a stepped base;
• an O-ring member disposed on said radial flange of said sleeve portion of said base support member;
• and
• means for imposing a clamping force on said O-ring member, said means for imposing a clamping force on said O-ring member mounted complementary with said O-ring and said inner surface of said workpiece whereby when said workpiece is mounted to said workholder and extending into said aperture of said workholder, said clamping force resiliently deforms said O-ring to generate a clamping force component on said workpiece in a direction away from said end face of said workholder and a clamping force component in a direction towards said inner surface of said workpiece to securely hold said workpiece in said workholder for machining thereof.