A fixture and method is provided for gripping an article, such as a
sputtering target. The fixture comprises a base, a first set of contact
rollers, and a second set of contact rollers, wherein at least one of the
first set and the second set are adjustably positioned relative to the
other of the first set and the second set on the base. The contact
rollers can be configured as v-grooved wheels that will only touch
chamfered portions of an outer diameter of the sputtering target when the
contact rollers are clamped against the sputtering target. At least one
of the first set and the second set of contact rollers can be pivotally
mounted on a slide, with the slide being adjustably positioned on the
base of the fixture.