Patent ID: 7282665

Claim:
A method for machining a plurality of workpieces with a laser beam, comprising: providing a lower pressure plate having a plurality of movable support segments for supporting a plurality of workpieces to be machined, wherein the support segments are flat or punctiform or include both flat and punctiform, and are movable independently from each other vertically relative to the lower pressure plate; providing an upper translucent pressure plate whereby the lower and the upper pressure plate are movable vertically toward each other; selectively pressing the plurality of workpieces arranged on each of the plurality of movable support segments one after another against the upper pressure plate by moving the respective movable supporting segment in a vertical direction in accordance with a desired contact pressure, wherein only the respective workpiece pressed towards the upper pressure plate is exposed to a laser beam; and passing a laser beam from above through the upper pressure plate onto the plurality of workpieces to machine same.