A clamping device and a machining method. The clamping device comprises: a base; a clamping head comprising a blind rivet and a locking member, the blind rivet comprising a middle column segment and enlarged portions at two ends, and the locking member being connected to an upper end of the blind rivet and defining a clamping opening; a lower cavity connected to the base; an upper cavity comprising an annular peripheral wall and a top wall having a central hole, the top wall being clamped between the two enlarged portions, the middle column segment of the blind rivet movably passing through the central hole, and the upper cavity being connected to the lower cavity in a fit manner; an elastic member located in the peripheral wall and supported between the enlarged portion at a lower portion of the blind rivet and the top wall; and a support cylinder movably fitted in the lower cavity, the support cylinder being supported below the elastic member.

An ascent-detecting air supply port (33), a descent-detecting air supply port (43), and an air discharge port (44) are provided to a housing (2). The ascent-detecting air supply port (33) is communicatively connected to an air outlet (38) by an ascent-detecting air passage (39). The descent-detecting air supply port (43) is communicatively connected to the air discharge port (44) by a descent-detecting air passage (45). The descent-detecting air passage (45) is closed by a valve mechanism (49) including: a valve surface (50) provided on a piston portion (15); and a valve seat (51) provided on an inner surface of the housing (2), when an advance piston (14) is retracted to a lowered position.

A discharge passage (42) of a work support includes: an annular space (2a) created between an insertion hole (2), provided through a leading end portion of a housing (1), and a support rod (3); and a discharge port (42a) provided at the leading end portion of the housing (1). The work support is designed so that an amount of gas pushed out of an outlet chamber (32) by an output member (24) when the output member (24) moves from its base-end-side limit position to its leading-end-side limit position is larger than a capacity of an accommodation chamber (45) created on a base end side relative to the support rod (3) due to movement of the support rod (3) from its base-end-side limit position to a leading-end-side position.

A clamping device and a machining method. The clamping device comprises: a base; a clamping head comprising a blind rivet and a locking member, the blind rivet comprising a middle column segment and enlarged portions at two ends, and the locking member being connected to an upper end of the blind rivet and defining a clamping opening; a lower cavity connected to the base; an upper cavity comprising an annular peripheral wall and a top wall having a central hole, the top wall being clamped between the two enlarged portions, the middle column segment of the blind rivet movably passing through the central hole, and the upper cavity being connected to the lower cavity in a fit manner; an elastic member located in the peripheral wall and supported between the enlarged portion at a lower portion of the blind rivet and the top wall; and a support cylinder movably fitted in the lower cavity, the support cylinder being supported below the elastic member.

A support rod (3) is inserted in a housing (1) so as to be movable in an up-down direction. An actuation chamber (21) is provided in a lower end portion of the housing (1). An output member (24) is moved upward by pressurized oil supplied to the actuation chamber (21). In the actuation chamber (21), to which pressurized oil is supplied, a release spring (33) is attached between a leading end wall (31) of the actuation chamber (21) and a flange portion (25a) provided to a base end portion of the output member (24). The release spring (33) biases the output member (24) downward.

The workpiece support apparatus has: a case member that has an axial center and that is provided to a workpiece support part; a support member that is provided to the case member so as to be movable in the axial center direction and that has one end part projecting outwardly from the case member and supporting the workpiece so as to serve as a projection end part; a suction pad suctions the workpiece; an adjustment device that is provided between the support member and the case member in order to adjust contact pressure of the support member; an air intake path that sets the inside of the suction pad and that provides connection between a sucking port and an air intake port provided to suction and fix the projection end part to the workpiece; and a fixing device that fixes the support member to the case member.

An ascent-detecting air supply port (33), a descent-detecting air supply port (43), and an air discharge port (44) are provided to a housing (2). The ascent-detecting air supply port (33) is communicatively connected to an air outlet (38) by an ascent-detecting air passage (39). The descent-detecting air supply port (43) is communicatively connected to the air discharge port (44) by a descent-detecting air passage (45). The descent-detecting air passage (45) is closed by a valve mechanism (49) including: a valve surface (50) provided on a piston portion (15); and a valve seat (51) provided on an inner surface of the housing (2), when an advance piston (14) is retracted to a lowered position.

A Quick-Change Tool Holder (QCTH) centerline-position adjustment device is provided herein which is characterized by a device which provides for a plurality of distinct and variable position settings to be selected individually. The individual settings are selected by rotation of an indexable ring which contains a plurality of set screws which can be individually adjusted. The rotation of the indexable ring is about the central shaft which is mounted to the Quick Change Tool Holder.

A hydraulic cylinder includes a rod insertion hole formed in a piston member, an auxiliary rod provided to a head side end wall member and capable of being inserted into the rod insertion hole, a rod fitting hole formed to pass through the head side end wall member and the auxiliary rod, a movable rod installed in the rod fitting hole and whose end portion toward a head side end wall projects to the exterior, a movement restriction mechanism that prohibits shifting of the movable rod in an unclamping state and permits shifting of the movable rod in a clamping state.

A work support includes a mounting plate and a mechanical lock coupled to the mounting plate. The mechanical lock includes a base coupled to the mounting plate and a support pin. The support pin is movably coupled to the base. As such, the support pin can move relative to the base. The work support further includes a locking collar at least partly disposed inside the base. The locking collar surrounds the support pin and includes a first collar portion disposed around the support pin. The first collar portion has an outer tapered surface facing away from the support pin. The locking collar further includes a second collar portion disposed around the support pin. The second collar portion has an inner tapered surface facing toward the support pin and can move relative to the first collar between an unlocked position and a locked position.