Device for conveying workpieces comprising a retaining device which can be moved along a conveying path, processing tools and an electronic controller comprising software for controlling the drives, - the retaining device comprising a plurality of clamping elements which can be moved independently of one another by means of a respective linear motor, - it being possible for the clamping elements to be moved by means of the linear motors and in a software-controlled manner into a placement position, from the placement position into a clamping position, from the clamping position along a first conveying path synchronously into a processing position, and from the processing position along a second conveying path synchronously into a removal position, - the electronic controller converting, by means of software, the geometric dimensions of the workpiece measured by measuring means into movement profile data of the linear motors, - it being possible for the clamping elements to be moved by the linear motors, in a software-controlled manner, according to the respective movement profile data calculated by the electronic controller, along the first conveying path from the clamping position into the processing position and along the second conveying path from the processing position into the removal position, and - the linear motors maintaining the spacings of the clamping elements, measured in the clamping position, relative to one another, by means of the movement profile data during movement along the conveying path, and thus the clamping of the workpiece between the clamping elements being maintained during movement of the clamping elements along at least one conveying path, characterised in that the device comprises measuring means which can measure the geometric dimensions of the workpiece in the clamping position, and one or more linear motors comprising a sensor which can measure that the clamping position has been reached. - the retaining device comprising a plurality of clamping elements which can be moved independently of one another by means of a respective linear motor, - it being possible for the clamping elements to be moved by means of the linear motors and in a software-controlled manner into a placement position, from the placement position into a clamping position, from the clamping position along a first conveying path synchronously into a processing position, and from the processing position along a second conveying path synchronously into a removal position, - the electronic controller converting, by means of software, the geometric dimensions of the workpiece measured by measuring means into movement profile data of the linear motors, - it being possible for the clamping elements to be moved by the linear motors, in a software-controlled manner, according to the respective movement profile data calculated by the electronic controller, along the first conveying path from the clamping position into the processing position and along the second conveying path from the processing position into the removal position, and - the linear motors maintaining the spacings of the clamping elements, measured in the clamping position, relative to one another, by means of the movement profile data during movement along the conveying path, and thus the clamping of the workpiece between the clamping elements being maintained during movement of the clamping elements along at least one conveying path, characterised in that the device comprises measuring means which can measure the geometric dimensions of the workpiece in the clamping position, and one or more linear motors comprising a sensor which can measure that the clamping position has been reached.