Chuck holder incorporating independent arrayed wedge clamps for clamping such as irregularly shaped and thin wall parts with a minimum of deformation

A work holder assembly for use in clamping a workpiece being machined by a tool, said assembly comprising:

• a chuck having a three-dimensional shape and size and exhibiting an annular shaped collet surrounding the workpiece to be secured;
• a plurality of individual clamps extending from circumferential spaced locations associated with said collet, said clamps each further comprising a first linear traveling component actuating a second radial traveling component into engagement with locations associated with the workpiece, said linear traveling components each further comprising an elongated and spring-loaded pin biasing against said radial traveling component;
• each of said clamps further comprising a wedge shape at an interface between said linear and radial components to minimize clamping forces and to prevent backdriving of said clamps by the tool;
• and
• said assembly further comprising a fluid pressure supply tube extending through a central location associated with said chuck, said collet further comprising a fluid delivery component in communication with said fluid supply tube and in contact with at least a workpiece engaging location of said radial traveling component to operate in at least one of a clamping and an actuated release condition whereby the fluid pressure is applied to overcome the spring loading forced applied to the linearly traveling pin.