Abstract: A mechanical chuck for clamping the shank of a tool comprises a receiver having a forwardly open, rearwardly tapering socket. A pull rod is mounted for front-to-rear reciprocation in the socket. The pull rod is connectible to the tool shank. A plurality of pins are mounted in the receiver for front-to-rear movement therein. Rear ends of the pins engage the pull rod. A nut is threaded on the outside of the socket so that when rotated, the nut displaces the pins rearwardly. The pins displace the pull rod and shank rearwardly, so that the shank is tightly engaged in the socket.

Abstract: A tool is positioned relative to a clamping unit by gripping the tool with a gripping device and moving the gripping device to position the tool in a socket of the clamping unit. Simultaneously, a motor-powered drive wheel, which is mounted on the gripping device, becomes meshed with a wheel of the clamping unit. The driven wheel is rotated and causes tool to be moved axially into a tightly clamped position within the socket. The gripping device is movable in radial and axial directions and is capable of removing the tool from the clamping unit and transporting the tool to and from a magazine.