Device for clamping and holding an elongated workpiece

A device for clamping an elongated workpiece for processing, the workpiece having a longitudinal axis, the device comprising:

• a conveyor arranged to convey the workpiece a path to a workstation, the path being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece;
• a plurality of clamps disposed along the path, each of the clamps including a pair of members rotatable in unison from a retracted position to a clamping position, the members straddling the path and centering the workpiece when in the clamping position;
• actuation means operatively engaging the pair of members for each of the clamps, the actuation means for shifting each of the pair of members between the retracted position and the clamping position;
• whereby in response to operation of the actuation means the pair of members for all of the clamps shift in unison to center and clamp the workpiece at a workstation disposed along the path.

A device for clamping an elongated workpiece for processing, the workpiece having a longitudinal axis, the device comprising:

• a plurality of counter-rotating clamps disposed along the path, the clamps being shiftable between a retracted position and a clamp position, each of the clamps being adapted to engage the workpiece when the clamps are in the clamp position;
• a plurality of conveying rollers carried by at least some of the clamps, the conveying rollers being positioned to engage the workpiece and to convey the workpiece along the path to the workstation, the path being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece;
• and
• a plurality of actuators operatively engaging the clamps, the actuators being arranged to shift each of the clamps in unison to the clamp position;
• thereby centering and clamping the workpiece at the workstation.