Gripping and positioning assembly for transporting a clamping device between different positions

A clamping and handling assembly comprising a clamping device for securely holding a workpiece during processing and a gripping and positioning assembly detachably connected to the clamping device for transporting the clamping device between different positions,

• wherein the gripping and positioning assembly comprises a coupling device for detachably connecting the gripping and positioning assembly to the clamping device and for securely holding the clamping device during transport and an integrated drive for moving the clamping device between a clamped position and a release position,
• wherein the clamping device is configured to be a vise with a base body and at least two clamping jaws and has at least one zero-point clamping element for positioning and clamping onto a processing table and at least one adapter piece for connection to the coupling device of the gripping and positioning assembly.

A method of handling a clamping device on a processing machine, the method comprising:

• moving the clamping device for securely holding a workpiece during processing to the workpiece by a gripping and positioning assembly detachably connected to the clamping device by means of a coupling device, said gripping and positioning assembly having an integrated drive for moving the clamping device between a clamped position and a release position,
• picking up the workpiece with the clamping device by actuating the drive integrated in the gripping and positioning assembly, and
• transporting the clamping device with the picked-up workpiece by the gripping and positioning assembly to a processing position in the processing machine.