PURPOSE: To obtain a chucking apparatus capable of clamping and holding the circumference of an end of a mandrel independent of the size of the mandrel.

CONSTITUTION: This chucking apparatus for supporting a mandrel of a braider has the structure as shown below. A tapered part 10a having a cylindrical middle part and a tip part tapering toward the outlet side is formed in a rotary cylinder 10 rotatably supported on a handler transfer table via a bearing 16. A female screw 11 is pressed into the ring-shaped recess at the rear end of the cylinder 10 to form an integrated member. Plural claws 13 placed on a circle as clamping members are tiltably supported with a claw-supporting member 12 through a pin 19. The claw-supporting member 12 is movable in longitudinal direction by the normal or reverse rotation of the rotary cylinder 10 by engaging the male screw 12a of the claw supporting member 12 with the above female screw 11. An end of a mandrel is inserted into a space surrounded by the tip parts of the claws 13 and a motor 15 is energized to rotate the rotary cylinder 10 and forward the claws 13 together with the claw supporting member 12. The tapered part 13a of each claw is pressed with the above tapered part 10a to clamp and hold the end of the mandrel from the circumference.