Abstract: A clamping device for an injection blow molding machine incorporates separate clamp movement actuators for joining or separating opposing mold parts and clamping actuators for applying a clamping force to closed mold parts. Opposing locking columns and locking collars are locked together and a clamping force is applied to opposing locked columns and collars. A stroke movement of the locking collars can optionally be provided to allow maximum clamp area clearance for a preform or blow-molded product entering or leaving the clamp area. The distance of stroke movement can be adjusted to accommodate molds of varying sizes.