Mechanical method and device for separating plastically deformable plate-like workpieces from a workpiece stack, mechanical feed device and mechanical assembly for processing workpieces - Patents.com

Abstract

In the context of a method for separating plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces (3) of a workpiece stack (2), a force is applied to at least one of the adjacent workpieces (3) at the end face of the workpiece edge (17) parallel to the workpiece main plane (4), whereby at least one workpiece (3) is compressed to form an edge thickening (18) which protrudes perpendicularly to the workpiece main plane (4) compared to the remaining workpieces (3), thereby generating a separating gap (19) between the adjacent workpieces (3). During the application of the force, the workpieces (3) are at least inhibited, preferably blocked, against a retraction movement carried out under the effect of the application of the force. A mechanical separating device is designed to carry out the aforementioned method. A mechanical feed device for a functional unit of a mechanical assembly for processing workpieces has such a separating device. A mechanical assembly for processing a workpiece includes such a feeding device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a mechanical method for separating plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces of a workpiece stack, preferably plastically deformable metal sheets of a metal sheet stack, in which the workpieces, preferably metal sheets, are arranged next to each other in the workpiece stack and are oriented with their main workpiece planes parallel to each other, and two workpieces adjacent to each other in the workpiece stack are separated from each other at their workpiece edges, generating a separating gap formed between the workpieces; a mechanical detachment device for carrying out the aforementioned method, a mechanical feeding device for feeding a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece, preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, to a functional unit of a mechanical assembly for processing a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece, preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, and A mechanical assembly for working a plastically deformable plate-like workpiece, preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, comprising a functional unit and a mechanical feed device of the type described above for feeding the functional unit. Regarding.

[0002] The prior art is known from EP 0 639 519 A1. This document relates to a mechanical feeding device for automating sheet metal production, for transporting sheet metal previously separated from a stack of sheet metal. The feeding device has a suction frame, to which a holding sucker and a separation sucker are attached side by side. To pick up the uppermost sheet metal in the stack of sheet metal, the sucker frame, which includes the holding sucker and the separation sucker, is placed over the sheet metal so that the holding sucker is located inside the sheet metal and the separation sucker is located at the edge of the sheet metal. After a negative pressure is applied to the separation sucker, the separation sucker, together with the sheet metal edge sucked by the separation sucker, is pivoted upward about an axis extending parallel to the main plane of the sheet metal. Due to this pivoting movement, the edge of the sheet metal held by the separator absorber is bent upwards and, ideally, separated from the edge of the sheet metal located below it. However, particularly if the sheet metals are coated with oil and / or are provided with a film that causes the sheets to stick to each other, there is a risk that the sheet metal located below the sheet metal brought into direct contact by the separator absorber will be bent upwards together with the sheet metal directly attracted by the separator absorber, with the result that the desired separation of the sheets will not occur.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical method, a mechanical separating device, a mechanical feeding device, and a mechanical assembly for workpiece processing, which ensures reliable separation of plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces of a workpiece stack, in particular plastically deformable metal sheets of a metal sheet stack.

[0004] The above-mentioned problems are solved according to the present invention by a mechanical method as set forth in claim 1, a mechanical separating device as set forth in claim 6, a mechanical feeding device as set forth in claim 14, and a mechanical assembly for processing workpieces as set forth in claim 16.

[0005] In the present invention, a force is applied to at least one of the adjacent workpieces at the end face of the edge of the workpiece parallel to the main plane of the workpiece, whereby at least one workpiece is compressed to form an edge thickening that protrudes perpendicularly to the main plane of the workpiece compared to the remaining workpieces, thereby ensuring a reliable separation of the adjacent workpieces of the workpiece stack. During the application of the force, the workpiece that has been plastically deformed under the action of the lateral force is at least prevented, and preferably blocked, from a retraction movement that is carried out as a result of the application of the force.

[0006] To create the thickened portion on the edge side of the workpiece, the peeling-off device according to the invention includes a deforming tool as a separating device, which itself has a deforming mechanism and a deforming mechanism drive. The deforming mechanism of the deforming tool can be delivered to a ready position adjacent to the side of the stack of workpieces. The deforming mechanism drive moves the delivered deforming mechanism from the ready position toward the end face of the workpiece edge of the workpiece to be peeled off, thereby compressing the workpiece edge and creating the thickened portion on the edge side of the workpiece.

[0007] The thickened edge portion created by the deformation tool of the separating device according to the present invention can protrude on one or both sides in the workpiece deformed on the edge side and can therefore form a separation gap only for one or both adjacent workpieces.

[0008] In any case, due to the plastic deformation of the workpiece edge, a permanent separation gap is created between the workpiece deformed on the edge side and at least one workpiece adjacent to this workpiece deformed on the edge side in the workpiece stack.

[0009] Due to the durability of the separation gap, the workpieces can also be separated in time independently of their subsequent transport, for example to a processing station of a mechanical assembly for processing the workpieces. Thus, a workpiece stack with one or more workpieces that have been deformed on their edge side and are thus ready for removal from the workpiece stack can be stored, for example, in a workpiece storage unit.

[0010] The method according to the invention and the separating device according to the invention are also suitable for separating stacked non-magnetizable workpieces, such as non-magnetizable sheet metal made of stainless steel or aluminum, which cannot be separated from one another by magnetic repulsion since they cannot be magnetized.

[0011] The method according to the invention and the separating device according to the invention are also advantageous because their mode of functioning is independent of the thickness of the sheet metal.

[0012] With regard to the results of the manufacturing process that follows the workpiece separation, any permanent deformation of the workpiece edge is harmless if the workpiece edge is left as a workpiece residue at the end of the manufacturing process, which is the case, for example, in the case of workpiece processing that involves cutting, where a waste product is generated as a residue and where the thickened edge that was generated when the workpiece was separated is present in this residue.

[0013] The feeding device provided with the separating device according to the invention is used to transport workpieces that have previously been individually picked up from a workpiece stack to a functional unit of a mechanical assembly for workpiece processing, such as a workpiece storage or a processing device of the mechanical assembly.

[0014] Specific embodiments of the methods and devices according to the independent claims emerge from the dependent claims 2 to 5, 7 to 13 and 15.

[0015] The reliable generation of thickened portions on the edge side of the workpiece to which force is applied is guaranteed, especially when the force is applied impulsively to the end face of the edge of the workpiece (claim 2).

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the pulling-off device according to the invention, the deformation mechanism drive of the deformation tool has a drive means and a switchable drive lock for this purpose. The deformation mechanism, which has been brought into the ready-to-work position, is first preloaded by the drive means so that it moves in the direction of the working movement when the drive lock is switched to the locked state. The deformation mechanism is released to perform the working movement by switching the drive lock from the locked state to the released state (claim 7). A preloadable spring, for example, is considered as the drive means of the deformation mechanism drive, which, after the drive lock of the deformation mechanism is released, provides the force required to generate the thickened portion on the edge side of the workpiece to which the force is applied based on its preload.

[0017] In order to achieve an effective plastic deformation of the edge of the workpiece applied by the deformation mechanism, in a further development of the invention, the deformation mechanism may be tapered, for example in the form of a wedge, in the direction of the working movement generated by the deformation mechanism drive (claim 8). Preferably, the deformation mechanism has a surface-like design on the workpiece side. In accordance with the invention, it is particularly conceivable that the end face of the deformation mechanism facing the workpiece has a rectangular contour.

[0018] The uppermost workpiece in a workpiece stack consisting of multiple workpieces arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity can be inhibited or blocked from retracting under the action of the application of force to the end face of the edge of the workpiece solely based on the weight of the workpiece itself and the resulting friction with the workpieces located below it.

[0019] Since it is also possible in the present invention to act on several workpieces arranged in a vertical workpiece stack in order to separate them, in a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a workpiece to which a force is applied parallel to its main workpiece plane is at least prevented, preferably blocked, from moving away under the action of the applied force, in that the force is applied parallel to its main workpiece plane when an effective load in the direction of gravity is applied to the workpiece by at least one further workpiece arranged above it in the workpiece stack (claim 3). Additionally or alternatively, a mechanical stop for the workpiece can be provided on the end face of the workpiece located on the side opposite to the applied force.

[0020] Due to the corresponding dimensioning of the deformation mechanism in the direction perpendicular to the main plane of the workpieces, in the case of a further constructional form of the separating device according to the invention, it is possible to generate the thickened edge portions required for separating the workpieces from each other simultaneously for several workpieces adjacent to each other in a workpiece stack with just one working movement of the deformation mechanism (claims 4 and 9).

[0021] In order to generate the working movement of the deformation mechanism of the deformation tool, according to the invention, a deformation mechanism drive device configured as a linear drive device is preferred, and the deformation mechanism delivered to the work preparation position can be moved by the linear drive device towards the end face of the workpiece edge of the corresponding workpiece by a linear working movement (claim 10).

[0022] As a design type of the drive, the invention envisages, inter alia, an eccentric drive, a slider-crank drive or a piston-cylinder drive.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the pulling-off device according to the invention, the delivery movement for placing the deformation mechanism of the deformation tool in the work-ready position laterally adjacent to the stack of workpieces is also generated mechanically (claim 11).

[0024] A delivery device provided for this purpose is, in a development of the invention, preferably provided with a mechanical guide device (claim 12).

[0025] Alternatively, it is contemplated that the deformation mechanism or tool may be positioned manually.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the feeding device according to the invention, the deformation tool of the separating device is mounted on a support structure of the handling device of the feeding device, so that the deformation mechanism of the mechanical separating device deformation tool can be delivered to the work-ready position by the handling device (claim 15).

[0027] To assist in the separation of the workpieces, in a further construction of the separating device according to the invention, in addition to the deformation tool, an additional separating device is provided, which can widen the separation gap created by the plastic deformation of the workpiece edges (claim 13). According to the invention, for example, a blowing nozzle is provided as the additional separating device, which is arranged laterally adjacent to the stack of workpieces after the workpiece edges of the workpiece or workpieces to be separated have been deformed. The blowing nozzle blows compressed air into the separation gap or gaps created by the thickened portions on the edge side, which further separates adjacent workpieces from one another. In the case of the feeding device according to the invention, the additional separating device can also be attached to the support structure of the handling device.

[0028] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first structural type of mechanical separating device for separating metal sheets of a stack of metal sheets; FIG. [Figure 2]1 shows a second constructional style of mechanical separating device for separating metal sheets of a stack of metal sheets; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 shows a feeder of a mechanical assembly for cutting sheet metal processing, with a mechanical separating device of a third construction type for separating sheet metal sheets of a stack of sheet metal sheets; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 shows a feeder of a mechanical assembly for cutting sheet metal processing, with a fourth constructional type of mechanical separating device for separating sheet metal sheets of a stack of sheet metal sheets; FIG. [Figure 5] 5 shows a modified tool of the mechanical separating device according to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the functioning of the mechanical separating device according to FIGS. 1 to 4;

[0030] According to Figure 1, a mechanical separating device 1 is arranged adjacent to a sheet metal stack 2, which is provided as a workpiece stack, consisting of a plurality of workpieces in the form of plastically deformable sheet metal 3 arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity. The main workpiece or sheet metal planes 4 of the sheets 3, shown in Figure 1 by dashed lines, are oriented parallel to one another. The sheet metal material is construction steel in the example shown.

[0031] The separating device 1 is used to separate metal sheets 3 of a stack of metal sheets 2. For this purpose, the separating device 1 comprises a separating device in the form of a deformation tool 6.

[0032] The deformation tool 6 is shown in detail in FIG.

[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the deformation tool 6 comprises a wedge-shaped deformation mechanism 7 and a deformation mechanism drive 9 arranged inside a drive housing 8 .

[0034] In the illustrated example, the deformation mechanism drive 9 is configured as a linear drive, specifically as a piston-cylinder drive. The deformation mechanism 7 is provided at one end of a piston rod 10 of the deformation mechanism drive 9, and a drive piston is provided at the opposite end, which is hidden by the drive housing 8 in FIG. 5. The drive piston is guided in the inner wall of the cylindrical drive housing 8 so that it can move in the retraction direction 11 of the deformation mechanism 7 and in the direction of the working movement 12.

[0035] Further components of the deformation mechanism drive 9, which are also accommodated in the drive housing 8, are an electromagnet and a spring, the spring being arranged on the side of the drive piston opposite the deformation mechanism 7.

[0036] In FIG. 5, the drive piston is held in a rearward end position in the retraction direction 11 by the activated electromagnet. In this rearward end position, a spring arranged on the side of the drive piston facing away from the deformation mechanism 7 is compressed. The compressed spring preloads the piston of the deformation mechanism drive 9, and thus the deformation mechanism 7, in order to move it in the direction of the working movement 12 of the deformation mechanism 7. The electromagnet of the deformation mechanism drive 9 thus forms a drive lock, which is switched into a locked state in the functional state of the deformation tool 6 according to FIG. 5.

[0037] The deformation tool 6 is also in this functional state in FIG.

[0038] 1, the deformation tool 6 has been delivered vertically to a tool position in which the deformation mechanism 7 of the deformation tool 6 is in a ready-to-operate position facing the uppermost sheet metal 3 in the stack of sheet metal 2. The deformation tool 6 has been moved to this position by a mechanical delivery device 13 of the separating device 1.

[0039] The delivery device 13 includes a motorized delivery drive 14 of conventional construction, which allows the positioning of the deformation tool 6 along a vertically extending guide rail 15 used as a guide device. In Figure 1, the deformation tool 6 is shown in dashed lines in a ready-to-operate position facing a sheet metal 3 located near the bottom in the stack of sheet metal 2. The vertical delivery direction of the deformation tool 6 is indicated in Figure 1 by a double arrow 16.

[0040] 1, in order to separate the uppermost sheet 3 in the stack 2, the electromagnet of the deformation mechanism drive 9 is first switched to a current-free state, which causes the previously active drive lock of the deformation mechanism drive 9 to be released. As a result, the deformation mechanism 7 is impulsively driven in the direction of the working movement 12 by the relaxation of the spring of the deformation mechanism drive 9.

[0041] The operating method of the deformation tool 6 is shown in Figure 6 in terms of the tool construction type, in which the deformation mechanism 7 of the deformation tool 6 has a deformation mechanism height on the metal sheet side, based on which the deformation mechanism 7 extends across several adjacent metal sheets 3 in the metal sheet stack 2 in a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet main plane 4.

[0042] As the deformation mechanism 7 of FIG. 6 performs its working movement in direction 12, it simultaneously impacts the end faces of the workpiece edges or sheet metal edges 17 against the sheet metal edges 3 located one above the other in the sheet metal stack 2, depending on its structural height. Due to the plastic deformation of the sheet metals 3 and the fact that the deformation mechanism 7 has a greater hardness than the sheet metals 3, the sheet metals 3 are compressed by the deformation mechanism 7 to form thickened portions 18 on the edge side. Due to their own weight, the sheet metals 3 pressed by the deformation mechanism 7 are prevented from sliding sideways under the action of the deformation mechanism 7.

[0043] The thickened portions 18 on the edge sides generated by the deformation mechanism 7 protrude perpendicularly to the main plane 4 of the metal sheet relative to the remaining metal sheets 3, and in FIG. 6, both of the upper two metal sheets 3 protrude. As a result, the thickened portions 18 on the edge sides of the metal sheets 3 form separation gaps 19 between the adjacent metal sheets 3.

[0044] In FIG. 1, a separating gap is formed correspondingly between the uppermost sheet metal 3 in the stack of sheet metal 2 and the sheet metal 3 immediately below it.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 6, the deformation mechanism 7 has a triangular contour in a plane parallel to the main plane 4 of the sheet metal. As a result, at the end of the working movement of the deformation mechanism 7, a linear contact is established between the deformation mechanism 7 and the sheet metal 3 to which it exerts its force. Instead of a triangular contour, a trapezoidal contour of the deformation mechanism 7, for example shown by the dashed line in Figure 6, in a plane parallel to the main plane 4 of the sheet metal, is also conceivable. In the case of a trapezoidal contour, the rectangular face of the deformation mechanism strikes against the end face of the sheet metal edge 17.

[0046] In both cases, the deformation mechanism 7 tapers in the direction 12 of its working movement.

[0047] The deformation tool 6 of the mechanical separating device 100 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the deformation tool 6 of the separating device 1 according to Fig. 1 in that it is manually delivered to the tool position in which the deformation mechanism 7 is ready for work. Instead of the mechanical delivery device 13 according to Fig. 1, the deformation tool 6 of the separating device 100 has a hand grip 20 by means of which the operator can position the deformation tool 6 in a desired manner opposite the sheet metal 3 to be separated from the stack 2 of sheet metal.

[0048] The mechanical separation device 200 shown in Figure 3 is integrated into the mechanical feeding device 21. For this purpose, the deformation tool 6 of the separation device 200 is mounted on a support structure of the handling device 23, which is configured as a sucker frame 22. The sucker frame 22 is further provided with a sheet metal holding device in the form of a holding sucker 24 of conventional construction.

[0049] The feeding device 21 is part of a mechanical assembly 25 for sheet metal processing and is used in this case to load a sheet metal processing machine 26 provided as a functional unit of the mechanical assembly 25. In order to load the uppermost sheet metal 3 in the stack of sheet metal 2 into the sheet metal processing machine 26, the deformation tool 6 of the separating device 200 is delivered by a handling device 23, which serves as a mechanical delivery device, to a predetermined tool position opposite the sheet metal 3 to be separated, at which the deformation mechanism 7 of the deformation tool 6 is positioned in a ready-to-work position opposite the sheet metal 3 in question.

[0050] After the uppermost sheet metal 3 in the stack of sheet metals 2 has been detached, the suction frame 22 of the handling device 23 together with the holding suction device 24 is lowered onto the upper surface of this detached sheet metal 3. A vacuum is then applied to the holding suction device 24 in the customary manner, so that the sheet metal 3 fixed to the handling device 23 can be transported to the sheet metal processing machine 26 by a corresponding movement of the handling device 23.

[0051] The mechanical separating device 300 shown in Fig. 4 differs from the separating device 200 according to Fig. 3 only in that, in addition to the deformation tool 6, an additional separating device in the form of a blow nozzle 27 is provided. The blow nozzle 27 is pivotably mounted on the absorber frame 22 of the handling device 23. After the separation gap has been created by the deformation tool 6, the blow nozzle 27 is pivoted into a predetermined position adjacent to the side of the sheet metal stack 2, where it can blow compressed air into the created separation gap, thereby widening it. The blowing of compressed air by the blow nozzle 27 is carried out simultaneously with the start of the coordinated movement of the absorber frame 22 and the sheet metal 3 held therein by the holding absorber 24.

Claims

1. A mechanical method for separating plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces (3) of a workpiece stack (2), preferably plastically deformable metal sheets of a sheet metal stack, comprising: In the workpiece stack (2), the workpieces (3), preferably the metal sheets, are arranged next to each other and the main workpiece planes (4) of the workpieces (3) are oriented parallel to each other, two adjacent workpieces (3) in the workpiece stack (2) are separated from each other at workpiece edges (17) to generate a separation gap (19) formed between the workpieces (3); In the method, a force is applied to at least one of the adjacent workpieces (3) at an end face of the workpiece edge portion (17) of the workpiece (3) in a direction parallel to the main workpiece plane (4), whereby the at least one workpiece (3) is compressed to form a thick portion (18) on the edge side, and the thick portion (18) on the edge side protrudes perpendicularly to the main workpiece plane (4) compared to the remaining workpieces (3), thereby generating the separation gap (19) between the workpieces (3); Upon application of said force, said workpiece (3) is at least inhibited, preferably blocked, against a retreating movement carried out under the effect of the application of said force. A method comprising:

2. A force is applied to the workpiece (3) at the end face of the workpiece edge (17) in an impulsive manner parallel to the main workpiece plane (4). The method of claim 1.

3. 3. A method for separating workpieces (3) arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity in the workpiece stack (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: the workpiece (3) to which a force is applied parallel to the workpiece main plane (4) is at least inhibited, preferably blocked, against a withdrawal movement carried out under the effect of the application of said force, This is achieved by applying a force parallel to the main workpiece plane (4) when the workpiece (3) is subjected to an effective load in the direction of gravity by at least one further workpiece (3) of the workpiece stack (2) arranged above the workpiece (3). A method comprising:

4. a deformation mechanism (7) of a deformation tool (6) is delivered to a ready position adjacent to the side of said workpiece stack (2); The deformation mechanism (7) is moved from the work preparation position toward the end face of the edge portion (17) of the workpiece by a predetermined working movement, and generates a thickened portion (18) on the edge side of the workpiece (3) based on the working movement. As a result, a force is applied to the workpiece (3) at the end face of the edge portion (17) of the workpiece in parallel with the main plane (4) of the workpiece, whereby the workpiece (3) is compressed to form a thick portion (18) on the edge side.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A force is simultaneously applied to adjacent workpieces (3) in the workpiece stack (2) at end faces of the workpiece edges (17) in a direction parallel to the workpiece main plane (4), whereby the workpieces (3) are compressed to form thickened portions (18) on the edge sides.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A mechanical separating device for separating plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces (3) of a workpiece stack (2), preferably plastically deformable metal sheets of a metal sheet stack, comprising: In the workpiece stack (2), the workpieces (3), preferably the metal sheets, are arranged next to each other and the main workpiece planes (4) of the workpieces (3) are oriented parallel to each other, The mechanical decoupling device comprises a separation device; the separating device is configured to separate two adjacent workpieces (3) in the workpiece stack (2) from each other at workpiece edges (17) to generate a separating gap (19) formed between the workpieces (3). In the mechanical separation device, The separating device includes a deformation tool (6) having a deformation mechanism (7) and a mechanical deformation mechanism drive device (9), the deformation mechanism (7) of the deformation tool (6) can be delivered to a ready position adjacent to the side of the workpiece stack (2); the deformation mechanism (7) delivered to the work-ready position is movable by the deformation mechanism drive (9) from the work-ready position with a working movement parallel to the workpiece main plane (4) towards an end face of a workpiece edge (17) of at least one of the workpieces (3) adjacent to each other in the workpiece stack (2), compressing the workpiece edge (17) and generating an edge-side thickening (18) of the workpiece edge (17), which edge-side thickening (18) protrudes perpendicularly to the workpiece main plane (4) compared to the remaining workpieces (3); During the working movement of the deformation mechanism (7), the workpiece (3) is at least inhibited, preferably blocked, from a retraction movement carried out under the action of the working movement of the deformation mechanism (7). A separating device characterized by the above.

7. The deformation mechanism drive device (9) has a drive means and a switchable drive lock, the deformation mechanism (7) is preloaded by the drive means in the work preparation position in order to move it in the direction of the working movement (12) when the drive lock is switched to the locked state; the deformation mechanism (7), which in the work preparation position is preloaded to move in the direction of the working movement (12), can be released to perform the working movement by switching the drive lock from the locked state to the released state; The separating device according to claim 6.

8. said deformation mechanism (7) being tapered in the direction (12) of said working movement; A separating device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The deformation mechanism (7) has a deformation mechanism height on the workpiece side, the deformation mechanism (7) extends across a plurality of adjacent workpieces (3) in the workpiece stack (2) in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece main plane (4) based on the deformation mechanism height; A separating device according to claim 6 or 7.

10. The deformation mechanism drive (9) is configured as a linear drive, the deformation mechanism (7) delivered to the ready-to-work position can be moved by the linear drive device with a linear working movement towards the end face of the workpiece edge (17) of the workpiece (3), A separating device according to claim 6 or 7.

11. A mechanical delivery device (13, 23) is provided; The delivery device (13, 23) allows the deformation mechanism (7) of the deformation tool (6) to be delivered to the work ready position. A separating device according to claim 6 or 7.

12. The delivery device (13) includes a guide device (15); The guide device (15) can guide the deformation tool (6) to a tool position associated with the work preparation position of the deformation mechanism (7). The decoupling device according to claim 11.

13. In addition to the deformation tool (6), an additional separation device (27) is provided, said additional separation device (27) makes it possible to widen the separation gap (19) created by said deformation tool (6); A separating device according to claim 6 or 7.

14. A mechanical feeding device for feeding a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece (3), preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, to a functional unit (26) of a mechanical assembly (25) for processing a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece (3), preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, comprising: The mechanical feed device is a mechanical separating device (200, 300) for separating the plastically deformable plate-shaped workpieces (3) of the workpiece stack (2), preferably the plastically deformable metal sheets of the metal sheet stack; a handling device (23) capable of transferring the workpieces (3) detached by said detachment device (200, 300) to said functional units (26) of said mechanical assembly (25); A mechanical feed device comprising: The separating device (200, 300) is a mechanical separating device (200, 300) as set forth in claim 10, The handling device (23) of the mechanical feed device is provided as a mechanical delivery device (23) of the separating device (200, 300). A mechanical feed device comprising:

15. the handling device (23) comprises a support structure (22) provided with a holding device (24) for fixing a workpiece (3) to be transferred to the functional unit (26) of the mechanical assembly (25); the deformation tool (6) of the mechanical detachment device (200, 300) is mounted on the support structure (22) of the handling device (23), the deformation mechanism (7) of the deformation tool (6) of the separating device (200, 300) can be delivered to the work-ready position by a delivery movement of the support structure (22) of the handling device (23); The delivery device of claim 14.

16. A mechanical assembly for machining a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece (3), preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, comprising: The mechanical assembly comprises: a functional unit (26), preferably a workpiece store and / or a processing device for processing the workpiece; a mechanical feed device (21) for feeding a plastically deformable plate-shaped workpiece (3), preferably a plastically deformable sheet metal, to said functional unit (26) of said mechanical assembly; A mechanical assembly comprising: The mechanical feed device (21) is a feed device (21) according to claim 14. A mechanical assembly comprising:

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