Machining method for machining a workpiece using at least one processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'") with a first and a second machining element (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') for machining the workpiece positioned between these elements, first and second servo-mechanical drives with a servo-actuator and a cam gear associated with the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') respectively and connected thereto in order to drive the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') for machining the workpiece along at least one machining axis (B; B1, B2) oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to be machined, at least one hold-down device (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') for fixing the workpiece during machining, and guides (3, 5; 3', 5'; 3", 5"; 3"', 5"') for the machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"'), the cam gear having a cam member formed as a cam plate and an engaging member with at least two rotatably supported take-off rollers (12', 12") for transmitting a driving force introduced into the cam member by the servo-actuator onto the engaging member; the engaging member being formed as a linear slide connected to a corresponding machining element and having a pivotably mounted pendulum lever which carries the at least two take-off rollers (12', 12") which are rotatably mounted in such a way that the cam plate for transmitting the introduced driving force (28, 34) to the linear slide is rollable on the at least two take-off rollers (12', 12") lying against the cam plate, generating a total effective force consisting of two active force components (32, 38), wherein the machining method comprises the following steps: positioning the workpiece to be machined between the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'"); fixing the workpiece by the at least one hold-down device (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1"'); bringing the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') to lie against the workpiece without deformation of the workpiece; and machining the workpiece by the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') with a plastic deformation of the workpiece, wherein the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') are driven during the machining operation by the first and second servo-mechanical drives of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'") in a multistage fashion at least temporarily synchronously equidistant from one another or synchronously in opposite directions to one another. the cam gear having a cam member formed as a cam plate and an engaging member with at least two rotatably supported take-off rollers (12', 12") for transmitting a driving force introduced into the cam member by the servo-actuator onto the engaging member; the engaging member being formed as a linear slide connected to a corresponding machining element and having a pivotably mounted pendulum lever which carries the at least two take-off rollers (12', 12") which are rotatably mounted in such a way that the cam plate for transmitting the introduced driving force (28, 34) to the linear slide is rollable on the at least two take-off rollers (12', 12") lying against the cam plate, generating a total effective force consisting of two active force components (32, 38), wherein the machining method comprises the following steps: positioning the workpiece to be machined between the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'"); fixing the workpiece by the at least one hold-down device (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1"'); bringing the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') to lie against the workpiece without deformation of the workpiece; and machining the workpiece by the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') with a plastic deformation of the workpiece, positioning the workpiece to be machined between the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'"); fixing the workpiece by the at least one hold-down device (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1"'); bringing the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') to lie against the workpiece without deformation of the workpiece; and machining the workpiece by the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') with a plastic deformation of the workpiece, wherein the first and second machining elements (2, 4; 2', 4'; 2", 4"; 2"', 4"') are driven during the machining operation by the first and second servo-mechanical drives of the processing machine (1; 1'; 1"; 1'") in a multistage fashion at least temporarily synchronously equidistant from one another or synchronously in opposite directions to one another.