Patent ID: 7735635

Claim:
An apparatus for positioning plate-shaped workpieces in a separating device having a separating unit, which, during a separating process, is movable in the X-/Y-directions, the X-advancement direction being rectilinear and the Y-advancement direction being transverse thereto, the apparatus comprising: a machine frame, a first supporting table with a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface, each bearing surface having a fixed end and a movable end, the two bearing surfaces being spaced apart from one another and forming a gap which is located at least beneath the separating unit of the separating device and which is variable by increasing the first bearing surface and decreasing the second bearing surface in the Y-direction, a link belt forming the bearing surfaces and comprising individual bearing elements having front ends which are supported on the machine frame, the link belt being secured at both ends on the machine frame and thereby respectively forming the fixed end of each bearing surface, guide devices for guiding the link belt with first guide devices forming the movable end of the respective bearing surface in order to form the gap and second guide devices beneath the bearing surfaces, and a second supporting table which is movable together with the first bearing surface in the Y-direction and which comprises an endless conveyor belt and guide rollers, the conveyor belt movable in a caterpillar-like manner on the guide rollers.