Part fixturing sysems having expanding clamping devices

A part fixturing system for securing a workpiece, the part fixturing system comprising a work holding device and an expanding clamping device, wherein:

• the work holding device comprises a first support column and a second support column that define a longitudinal loading envelope;
• the expanding clamping device comprises a clamp base portion and a clamp plate portion that travels away from the clamp base portion;
• the expanding clamping device further comprises an opening mechanism adapted to control a separation distance between the clamp base portion and the clamp plate portion;
• the opening mechanism comprises a first and a second traversing wedge block, each comprising an inclined contact surface, and first and second declined contact surfaces coupled to the clamp plate portion;
• the expanding clamping device is positioned inside the longitudinal loading envelope of the work holding device;
• and
• the expanding clamping device couples the workpiece to the first support column and the second support column.