WORKPIECE FEEDING DEVICE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a workpiece feeding device according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a workpiece feeding device is known from document EP1992464A2. The invention also relates to a method for using a workpiece feeding device and a machining device comprising such a workpiece feeding device. State of the art

[0002] Machining devices for machining workpieces, in particular for machining workpieces made of wood, wood-based materials, plastic, or the like, are widely known in the prior art. Such machining devices typically comprise a workpiece table with a workpiece holder, by means of which a workpiece can be arranged and held at least temporarily in place in order to machine the workpiece while being held. Such workpiece tables with workpiece holders can be designed to be essentially stationary or movable by means of feed devices.

[0003] In this case, if the workpiece table with the workpiece holder is essentially stationary, the tool for machining the workpiece can be brought close to the workpiece itself in order to effect machining of the workpiece due to a generated relative movement of the workpiece and the tool.

[0004] Alternatively, in the case of a substantially movable design of the workpiece table with the workpiece holder, the workpiece can be brought towards the tool itself for machining in order to effect machining of the workpiece due to a generated relative movement of the workpiece and the tool.

[0005] For this purpose, the machining device can, for example, have a stationary or movable gantry or a stationary or movable boom or similar device, on which the tool for machining the workpiece can be guided in a stationary or movable manner, in order to be able to carry out the intended machining on the workpiece together with any possible displacement of the workpiece. In this case, either the workpiece can be guided past the tool or vice versa, or both the workpiece and the tool can be displaced during machining, thus providing a targeted relative movement between the tool and workpiece in order to be able to machine the workpiece, for example, along a side or edge.

[0006] With such processing devices, the workpieces must be fed to the processing device so that the workpieces can be processed automatically by the processing device.

[0007] Modern machining devices feature workpiece feeding devices in which one workpiece is fed into the machining device one at a time. This allows one workpiece at a time to be fed into the machining device, machined there, and removed again. Only then is the next workpiece fed in when the machining device is free to receive the next workpiece. This means that the workpieces can only be fed and machined serially, which fundamentally limits the effectiveness of machining. Description of the invention, task, solution, advantages

[0008] It is the object of the invention to provide a workpiece feeding device and a machining device which has increased effectiveness in the machining of workpieces.

[0009] This object of the workpiece feeding device is achieved with the features of claim 1.

[0010] An embodiment of the invention relates to a workpiece feeding device with a workpiece receiving position for placing workpieces and with a workpiece removal position for removing workpieces, with a workpiece conveying device for conveying placed workpieces from the workpiece receiving position to a workpiece removal position, from which the workpieces can be removed from a feeding device and fed to a downstream workpiece table of a processing device, with stop elements for positioning and straightening the workpieces, in particular by means of the feeding device, wherein in the workpiece removal position several workpieces can be provided simultaneously and adjacent to one another and / or one after the other.This means that, depending on requirements and size, one or more workpieces can be fed into the feeder at the same time and transferred to the feeder so that they can be fed to the workpiece table individually, several at the same time, or alternatively several one after the other so that they can be machined effectively. For very long workpieces, only one workpiece can be made available using the workpiece feeder, or for smaller workpieces, these can be made available one after the other and placed next to each other in the workpiece table using the feeder, or even made available at the same time and placed in the workpiece table using the feeder. The multiple workpieces are arranged at a distance from one another so that they can also be machined, in particular at their ends.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece conveying device comprises a belt, roller, and / or chain conveyor system, by means of which the workpiece(s) can be transported between the workpiece receiving position and the workpiece removal position. For example, a worker or a robot can place the workpieces in the workpiece receiving position onto the workpiece feeding device. These are then moved to the workpiece removal position by the workpiece conveying device, so that a feeding device can pick up the workpiece(s) there and feed them to the workpiece table.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the belt, roller, and / or chain conveyor device comprises a plurality of revolving belts and / or chains and / or a plurality of rollers, by means of which at least two workpieces arranged adjacent to one another in a first direction (x-direction) can be transported in a second direction (y-direction), which is arranged in particular perpendicular to the first direction. This allows at least two workpieces to be transported simultaneously and laterally offset from one another. This increases the effectiveness of the device.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the workpieces can be positioned in a defined manner in the first direction (x-direction) in the workpiece removal position. This allows the workpieces to be positioned and transported adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, particularly of the workpiece table, with a defined position in the x-direction, so that when later clamped to the workpiece table, they already assume the correct defined distance and position.

[0014] It is advantageous if a position slide or other positioning means are provided, by means of which a workpiece can be positioned in the first direction (x-direction) in the workpiece removal position.

[0015] For this purpose, at least one first stop element or first stop elements is provided, against which workpieces can be placed, by means of which a workpiece position in the first direction can be defined. Depending on the number of adjacent workpieces in the x-direction, corresponding stop elements can be provided so that the workpieces are positioned in a defined manner in the x-direction during transport in the y-direction.

[0016] According to the invention, the workpieces can be positioned in a defined manner and pressed straight, particularly in the workpiece removal position in the second direction (y-direction).

[0017] This allows the workpieces to be pressed straight even if they are curved in the y-direction.

[0018] It is advantageous if at least one second stop element or second stop elements are provided, against which a workpiece or workpieces can be placed, by means of which a workpiece position in the second direction (y-direction) can be defined, and / or against which the workpiece(s) can be pressed. Depending on the number of workpieces, the pressing against the stop elements can occur simultaneously, so that they are pressed against the stop elements simultaneously.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece(s) can be pressed against the second stop element(s) by means of the feed device, and thus, in particular, can be pressed straight. This allows the straightening and picking up to occur simultaneously, advantageously eliminating the need for a transfer.

[0020] It may also be advantageous if the workpiece(s) can be pressed against the second stop element(s) by means of an alignment device, and thus, in particular, can be pressed straight. Thus, the workpiece pressed straight in this way can be picked up in its straight form by the feed device. This can be advantageous because the feed device can perform other operations during the straightening process.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if a workpiece or a plurality of workpieces arranged adjacent to one another in the x-direction can be picked up by the feed device and, in particular, can be fed to a workpiece table. This can increase efficiency.

[0022] It is advantageous if a large number of workpieces can be buffered between the workpiece pick-up position and the workpiece removal position and on the workpiece conveyor. This allows the operator or a robot to place a large number of workpieces on the conveyor, which can then be processed one after the other at a later time. This allows a certain amount of stock to be buffered on the conveyor, thus achieving processing flexibility with minimal time to supply.

[0023] It is also advantageous to provide a workpiece removal device by means of which workpieces, in particular machined workpieces, can be removed from a processing device. This allows the respective machined workpiece to be automatically removed from the workpiece table and further processed.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece removal device is located below or above the workpiece feed device. This allows the required space to be used for both the feed and removal, with the feed and removal taking place at different heights.

[0025] It is also advantageous if the workpiece removal device has a belt, roller, and / or chain conveyor system by means of which the workpiece(s) can be removed. This facilitates the transport of the workpieces.

[0026] The object of the processing device is achieved with the features of claim 15.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention relates to a processing device, in particular for processing workpieces made of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, with a workpiece table with a workpiece holder for holding at least one workpiece or also with a plurality of workpieces, with a tool device for processing the workpiece held in the workpiece holder and with a feeding device for feeding at least one workpiece to the workpiece table, wherein a workpiece feeding device according to the invention is provided.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece table is movable relative to the feeder, at least in its longitudinal direction in the x-direction. This allows the workpiece table to be moved to insert several short workpieces into the workpiece table one after the other and side by side.

[0029] It is advantageous if the feed device can be moved relative to the workpiece table in at least one direction. This allows the workpieces to be positioned optimally when they are inserted into the workpiece table.

[0030] It is also advantageous if the workpiece table can be displaced in its longitudinal direction, such as the x-direction, relative to the feeder, and the feeder can be displaced in two directions, such as the y-direction and the z-direction, relative to the workpiece table. This also supports the positioning of the workpieces.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece table can be displaced in its longitudinal direction using a feed unit. This allows the workpiece to be moved along the workpiece table, allowing it to pass a tool.

[0032] It is advantageous if the workpiece table has a workpiece holder with a number of clamping elements arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table. This allows either a workpiece to be clamped at several spaced-apart locations or several workpieces to be clamped simultaneously, side by side and adjacent to one another.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece table is designed to hold one or more workpieces that can be arranged adjacently in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table. This can increase machining efficiency.

[0034] Further advantageous embodiments are described by the following description of the figures and by the subclaims. Short description of the drawings

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of at least one embodiment with reference to the drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a processing device, Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a workpiece feeding device in one operating case, Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a workpiece feeding device in another operating case, Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a workpiece feeding device in another operating case, Figure 5 shows a detailed representation of the workpiece feeding device according to Figure 1 , Figure 6 a detailed view of the workpiece feeding device according to Figure 1 , Figure 7 a detailed view of the workpiece feeding device according to Figure 1, Figure 8 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 9 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 10 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 11 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 12 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 13 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 14 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, Figure 15 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device, and Figure 16 is a schematic representation to explain the process sequence of the workpiece feeding device. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0036] The Figure 1 shows a processing device 1, in particular for processing workpieces 5 made of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like. The workpieces 5 can, for example, be elongated, beam-like workpieces or flat, two-dimensional, board-like workpieces. The workpieces 5 are Figure 1 arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table 2. It is also possible for the workpieces 5 to be arranged longitudinally to the longitudinal direction 13 of the workpiece table 2.

[0037] The machining device 1 comprises a workpiece table 2 with a workpiece holder 3 with clamping elements 4 for clamping a workpiece, by means of which workpieces 5 can be securely held for machining. The workpiece table 2 is preferably connected to a feed unit 99, by means of which the workpiece table 2 is designed to be displaceable in direction 13. Direction 13 is advantageously oriented perpendicular to direction 11 and direction 12.

[0038] Furthermore, a feeding device 6 is provided, which serves to feed a workpiece 5 to the workpiece holder 3 of the workpiece table 2 and to place the workpiece 5 on the workpiece table 2.

[0039] Furthermore, a device frame 7 is provided, on which the feeding device 6, also called a manipulator, is displaceably arranged. A guide device 8 is also provided, to which the feeding device 6 is further displaceably hinged. Thus, the feeding device 6 is displaceably arranged on one side on the device frame 7 and on the other side on the guide device 8. The feeding device 6, with its elongated support element 9 and the clamping elements 10 arranged thereon, can be moved both in the vertical direction 11 and in the lateral direction 12, which is oriented perpendicular to the direction 11.

[0040] The guide device 8 is advantageously designed as a portal or as a crossbeam, on which a tool carriage 14 is displaceably arranged in order to be able to displace a tool 15 in direction 12 and / or in direction 11. As a result, the workpiece 5 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table 2 and, in the process, guided past the tool 15 for machining.

[0041] Furthermore, a workpiece feeding device 98 is provided with a workpiece receiving position 97 for placing workpieces 5 and with a workpiece removal position 96 for removing workpieces 5. The feeding device 6 can pick up the workpiece(s) from the workpiece removal position and feed them to the workpiece table.

[0042] The workpiece feed device 98 is advantageously designed as a workpiece feed table. It advantageously has a workpiece conveying device 95 for conveying placed workpieces 5 from the workpiece receiving position 97 to a workpiece removal position 96, from which the workpieces 5 can be removed by a feed device 6 and fed to a downstream workpiece table 2 of the processing device 1.

[0043] The workpiece feeding device 98 has a workpiece conveying device 95, which is designed as a belt, roller and / or chain conveyor device, by means of which the workpiece 5 or the workpieces 5 can be transported between the workpiece receiving position 97 and the workpiece removal position 96.

[0044] The belt and / or chain conveyor device has a plurality of circulating belts and / or chains or a plurality of rollers, by means of which at least two workpieces 5 arranged adjacent to one another in a first direction in the x-direction can be transported in a second direction in the y-direction, which is arranged in particular perpendicular to the first direction.

[0045] A workpiece removal device 94 is provided below the workpiece feed device, by means of which workpieces can be removed from the workpiece table 2. The workpiece removal device can advantageously also be arranged above the workpiece feed device. They are advantageously arranged on the same surface at different levels.

[0046] The workpiece removal device advantageously comprises a belt, roller and / or chain conveyor device by means of which the workpiece or workpieces can be transported away.

[0047] The Figure 2 shows that a number of workpieces 5 are arranged in a row one behind the other on the workpiece feed device 98, which can be picked up in sequence by the feed device 6 and fed to the workpiece table (not shown). This enables serial processing. The workpieces 5 are transported by the workpiece conveyor device.

[0048] The Figure 3shows that a number of workpieces 5 are arranged in two rows 80, 81 one behind the other on the workpiece feeding device 98, wherein two workpieces 5 can be picked up in sequence by the feeding device 6 and, in particular, fed simultaneously to the workpiece table (not shown). This enables parallel processing of two workpieces 5. The sequence and arrangement of the workpieces can be specified by predetermined software, so that matching workpieces are arranged adjacent to one another, allowing double loading in the workpiece table. A worker can also distribute the workpieces between rows 80 and 81 according to visual instructions.

[0049] This not only has the advantage that several workpieces can be processed simultaneously, but also that more workpieces can be buffered on the workpiece feeding device.

[0050] It may also be advantageous for a position slider to be provided on the workpiece feeding device, which moves the workpieces from a row into the position of a shifted workpiece, so that the feeding device can grip at least two workpieces simultaneously and place them in the workpiece table.

[0051] The Figure 4 shows that a number of workpieces 5 are arranged in a row 80 one behind the other on the workpiece feed device 98, wherein one workpiece 5 at a time can be picked up and displaced by the feed device 6 so that it can be arranged as a workpiece 82 adjacent to another workpiece 5, so that two workpieces 5, 82 can be fed to the workpiece table simultaneously. This enables parallel processing of two workpieces 5, 82.

[0052] It may also be advantageous for a position slider to be provided on the workpiece feed device 98, which moves the workpieces 5 from the row 80 into the position of the workpiece 82, so that the feed device 6 can grip at least two workpieces 5, 82 simultaneously and place them in the workpiece table.

[0053] In the Figures 3 and 4 The simultaneous processing of two workpieces is described in each case. This can also be done with more than two workpieces at the same time.

[0054] The Figures 5 and 6show the arrangement of a workpiece 5 in the workpiece removal position 96, wherein the feed device 6 with its grippers 10 grips the workpiece 5 and presses it against stop elements 70 in the y-direction to straighten the workpiece. The support surface 71 is inclined, and the stop elements 70 are pneumatically raised so that they protrude upward and the workpiece can be moved against them. Alternatively, the straightening can be performed with a separate alignment device instead of the feed device.

[0055] In the x-direction, the workpiece 5 can be positioned by means of first stop elements 72, such as a positioning slide. Thus, the workpieces 5 can be positioned in a defined manner in the first direction, the x-direction, in the workpiece removal position 96.

[0056] In the z-direction, the workpiece 5 can be pressed straight by the grippers 10 of the feeding device 6.

[0057] The feeding device 6 can engage through precisely positioned recesses in the workpiece feeding device 98 in the area of ​​the removal position 96 and pick up the positioned and pressed workpiece.

[0058] The Figure 7 shows how workpiece 5 is detected by a light barrier 85 shortly before reaching removal position 96. From this position, the workpiece is separated by stopping subsequent workpieces or by transporting the detected workpiece further. The workpiece is then aligned in removal position 96. For this purpose, the support surface of the removal position is inclined so that the provided stop elements can extend. This allows workpiece 5 to be centered during the displacement process.

[0059] The Figures 8 to 15 show the procedure schematically.

[0060] In Figure 8The workpiece 5 is fed in a row with another workpiece 20. The belt conveyor 21, which serves as a transport device, transports the workpieces. The leading and trailing edges are determined by a sensor, and the workpiece width can be determined. The support surface 22 is pivotable.

[0061] In Figure 9 the support surface 22 is pivoted. This lifts the workpiece 5 from the transport device.

[0062] In Figure 10 The transport device 21 is triggered to return, so that the workpiece 20 moves back slightly. This creates a gap between the workpieces 5 and 20.

[0063] In Figure 11 the stop elements 23 are extended in the vertical direction.

[0064] In Figure 12 the workpiece 5 is pushed against a stop 24, which can be done by means of a slider.

[0065] In Figure 13The alignment slide is released and moved transversely in the x-direction to the target position in the x-direction for precise positioning of the workpiece table.

[0066] In Figure 14 The workpiece is pushed out against the stop using the alignment slide.

[0067] In Figure 15 the support surface 22 is pivoted straight into the horizontal to align the workpiece for the feeding device.

[0068] The dimensional length check is performed during placement. After a positive length measurement, the operator may place the workpiece on the placement station. The length measurement of the second workpiece in the double loading is performed using the same measuring sensor.

[0069] A dimensional check of workpiece 5 can be performed in the y-direction while clamping with the pressure ram. The dimensional check in the z-direction can be performed while clamping with the grippers of the feed device.

[0070] Furthermore, parts tracking can also be carried out, for example, using a barcode reading system.

[0071] A workpiece marking system can also be provided by means of which workpieces can be marked.

[0072] The Figure 16 shows an operating situation with a glass bead removal. The glass bead 30, which is located opposite the gripper 31 of the feed device 6, is temporarily deposited on a component through which the gripper 31 can pass. This allows the gripper 31 to move around the glass bead 30 and pick it up again with the gripper tongs 32 of the gripper 31.

[0073] It may also be advantageous if the glass bead is picked up by the gripper 31 with the side of the feed device facing the workpiece table and placed thereon. If a bar is present that has a glass bead on both sides of the workpiece, the gripper 32 is usually also used to place or hold the second glass bead.

[0074] According to the invention, it is also advantageous if the workpiece is not moved in the x-direction, i.e., in direction 13, for alignment purposes using a slider. Other mechanisms may also be used.

[0075] The device can also be used and controlled in such a way that the second stop, i.e. a more central stop, is raised for manual double occupancy if double occupancy is possible.

[0076] If the workpiece to be placed is too long or too wide, the second, central stop remains in a downward position and is ineffective. This signals to the operator whether double loading is desired and possible.

Claims

1. Workpiece supply device (98) with a workpiece receiving position (97) for placing workpieces (5), with a workpiece removal position (96) for removing workpieces (5) and with a workpiece conveying device (95) for conveying placed workpieces (5) from the workpiece receiving position (97) to a workpiece removal position (96), from which the workpieces (5) can be removed by a feeding device (6) and fed to a downstream workpiece table (2) of a processing device, characterized by stop elements for positioning and straightening the workpieces by means of the feeding device (6), wherein in the workpiece removal position (96) a plurality of workpieces (5) can be provided simultaneously and adjacent to one another and one after the other.

2. The workpiece supply device (98) according to claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece conveying device (95) has a belt, roller and / or chain conveyor apparatus by means of which the workpiece (5) or the workpieces (5) can be transported between the workpiece receiving position (97) and the workpiece removal position (96).

3. The workpiece supply device (98) according to claim 2, characterized in that the belt and / or chain conveyor apparatus has a plurality of circulating belts and / or chains or a plurality of rollers, by means of which at least two workpieces arranged adjacent to one another in a first direction (x-direction, 13) can be transported in a second direction (y-direction, 12), which is arranged in particular perpendicular to the first direction.

4. Method for using a workpiece supply device (98) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the workpieces (5) can be positioned in a defined manner in the first direction (x-direction, 13) in the workpiece removal position (96).

5. The method according to claim 4 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that at least one first stop element (70) or first stop elements (70) are provided, against which workpieces (5) can be placed, by means of which or by means of which a workpiece position in the first direction (x-direction, 13) can be defined.

6. The method according to claim 4 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that a position slide and / or another positioning means is provided, by means of which a workpiece can be positioned in the first direction (x-direction, 13) in the workpiece removal position (96).

7. The method according to claim 5 for using a workpiece supply device, characterized in that light barriers (85) for detecting a position of the workpiece (5) can be used as stop elements (70, 72).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7 for using a workpiece supply device (98) or method for using a workpiece supply device (98) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the workpieces (5) can be positioned in a defined manner and pressed straight in the second direction (y-direction, 12) in the workpiece removal position (96).

9. The method according to claim 8, for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that at least one second stop element (70, 72) or second stop elements (70, 72) are provided, against which workpieces (5) can be placed, by means of which a workpiece position in the second direction (y-direction, 12) can be defined and / or against which the workpiece(s) (5) can be pressed.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that the workpiece (5) or the workpieces (5) can be pressed against the second stop element or elements (70, 72) by means of the feeding device (6) and can thereby be pressed in a straight manner.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that the workpiece (5) or the workpieces (5) can be pressed against the second stop element(s) (70, 72) by means of an alignment device and can thereby be pressed in a straight manner.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 11 for using a workpiece supply device (98) or method for using a workpiece supply device (98) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a workpiece (5) or a plurality of workpieces (5) arranged adjacent to one another in the x-direction (13) can be received by the feeding device (6) and can in particular be fed to a workpiece table (2).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 12 for using a workpiece supply device (98) or method for using a workpiece supply device (98) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of workpieces (5) can be buffered between the workpiece receiving position (97) and the workpiece removal position (96) and on the workpiece conveying device (95).

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 13 for using a workpiece supply device (98) or the method for using a workpiece supply device (98) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a workpiece removal device (94) is also provided, by means of which workpieces (5), such as in particular machined workpieces (5), can be removed from a processing device (1).

15. The method according to claim 14 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that the workpiece removal device (94) is arranged below or above the workpiece supply device (98).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15 for using a workpiece supply device (98), characterized in that the workpiece removal device (94) has a belt, roller and / or chain conveyor apparatus by means of which the workpiece (5) or the workpieces (5) can be transported away.

17. Processing device (1), in particular for processing workpieces made of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, with a workpiece table (2) with a workpiece holder (3) for holding at least one workpiece (5), with a tool device for processing the workpiece held in the workpiece holder and with a feeding device (6) for feeding at least one workpiece (5) to the workpiece table (2), characterized in that a workpiece supply device (98) according to one of the preceding claims is provided.

18. The processing device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the workpiece table (2) is at least in its longitudinal direction (x-direction, 13) is displaceable relative to the feed device (6).

19. The processing device (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the feeding device (6) is displaceable at least in one direction relative to the workpiece table (2).

20. The processing device (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the workpiece table (2) is displaceable in its longitudinal direction (x-direction, 13) relative to the feed device (6) and the feed device is displaceable in two directions (y-direction, 12, z-direction, 11) relative to the workpiece table (2).

21. The processing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the workpiece table (2) can be displaced in its longitudinal direction by means of a feed unit.

22. The processing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the workpiece table (2) has a workpiece holder (3) with a number of clamping elements (4) which are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table (2).

23. The processing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the workpiece table (2) is provided for holding a workpiece or a plurality of workpieces which can be arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece table.