Apparatus and method for clamping and positioning workpieces of different length between two centres

In an apparatus ( 10 ) for clamping and positioning workpieces ( 36 ) of different length between two centres ( 26,28 ), comprising a base ( 14 ) with at least one linear guide ( 18 ), a first carriage ( 20 ) displaceable in a linearly guided manner on the linear guide ( 18 ) and having a clamping centre ( 26 ), a second carriage ( 22 ) displaceable in a linearly guided manner on the linear guide ( 18 ) and having a tail centre ( 28 ), and a drive means coupled to the first or/and the second carriage ( 20,22 ), it is provided that the first carriage ( 20 ) and the second carriage ( 22 ) are displaceable on the linear guide ( 18 ) relative to one another and relative to the base ( 14 ) in such a way that workpieces ( 36 ) of different length can be received between the clamping centre ( 26 ) and the tail centre ( 28 ), it furthermore being the case that the first or/and the second carriage ( 20,22 ) have a prestressing means ( 78 ) and it being the case that the clamping centre ( 26 ) or/and the tail centre are displaceable, on contact ( 28 ) with the workpiece ( 36 ) to be clamped, under spring prestress towards the workpiece ( 36 ) to be clamped.