Often small and inconspicuous, sometimes large and bulky, but always indispensable - such is the nature of clamping devices. These are used in the metalworking industry for drilling and milling operations and in the automobile industry for clamping components which are to be welded. Basic assembly components frequently require clamping, as do many types of workpiece in the woodworking industry. In short-processing or machining needs to be preceded by precision clamping.

In the design of clamping systems, compressed air and vacuum have proved to be excellent working media for powering clamping devices. Pneumatic clamps are efficient, reliable and inexpensive. There are, however, a large number of variants. Users therefore need to be well informed concerning the type of clamping these variants offer, their operating conditions and the pneumatic components involved. The aim of this book is to help provide this information.