Abstract: An industrial resistance welding workcell includes a robot controller and robot, a welding control, and an overall workcell control in a form of a programmable logic controller and electronically-controlled electrically-actuator assembly is coupled to the wrist of a robot arm, which is further coupled to a conventional welding gun. The actuator assembly is controlled by an actuator control to vary the tip separation distance to any one of a virtually infinite number of separation distances, and further, is adapted to control a clamping force with a high degree of accuracy. The workcell further includes a tool used to secure a workpiece or workpieces. The tools characterized by use of an electronically-controlled electrically-actuated clamp for securing the position of the workpiece or workpieces relative to the base of the tool.