Clamping devices, as a part of a manufacturing system, have the role to fix workpieces during machining operations in order to hold the piece in place to maintain the position locally as well as to ensure a secure grip to withstand the process forces applied to the piece. The quality of the parts produced depends not only on the forces applied by the tool action, but results at the same time from the fixture action itself. In order to prevent the machined part from slipping or being totally released in the presence of the dynamic forces which are acting on the tool-workpiece-clamping system, the clamping forces must be high enough. This paper gives an overview on the most important literature on the topic ice clamping systems for new generation manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0. Beside this overview prospective and future challenges are given.