Device and method for mutual separation of two workpiece components of a plate-like workpiece

A method for mutual separation of two workpiece components of a plate-like workpiece, the method comprising

• supporting the two workpiece components that are intended to be separated from each other by means of a workpiece bearing with mutual overlapping perpendicular to a support plane defined by the workpiece bearing;
• lifting one of the workpiece components that are intended to be separated from each other in a lifting direction perpendicularly to the support plane by a lifting apparatus comprising one or more lifting devices arranged at one side of the support plane, wherein the lifted workpiece component is provided as a removal component and wherein the lifting apparatus is provided with a numerically controlled lifting movement unit comprising one or more rails configured to move the lifting apparatus in the lifting direction;
• supporting the removal component that is lifted by the lifting apparatus in the lifting direction by a counter-holder comprising a support body, wherein the counter-holder can be transferred into an operational, fixing state and into a non-operational, releasing state, wherein the counter-holder is arranged at a side of the support plane opposite a side of the lifting apparatus, wherein the counter-holder is provided with a numerically controlled counter-holder movement unit comprising one or more rails configured to move the counter-holder in the lifting direction;
• and
• moving the removal component which is acted on by the lifting apparatus and which is supported by the counter-holder with a removal movement in the lifting direction perpendicular to the support plane by the lifting apparatus perpendicular to the support plane relative to the other workpiece component provided as a remaining component and thereby separating the removal component from the remaining component, wherein the lifting movement unit and the counter-holder movement unit are numerically controlled such that the counter-holder supporting the removal component moves in the lifting direction synchronously with the lifting apparatus acting on the removal component and performing the removal movement in the lifting direction, and wherein the removal component which is lifted by the lifting apparatus in the lifting direction is supported during the removal movement in a rigid manner by the counter-holder in the lifting direction with a parallel orientation with respect to the support plane, which counter-holder is in the releasing state in which the removal component is released therefrom.