Method for machining workpieces and machine tool for carrying out the method

A method for machining workpieces on a machine tool,

• said machine tool comprising:
• a clamping device for clamping said workpieces,
• a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools for machining said workpieces,
• a work spindle which is movable relative to said clamping device and into which at least one tool from said plurality of tools can be clamped, and
• a spindle gripper for gripping remnants, which spindle gripper is self-holding when being in its gripping position, said spindle gripper captively holding a received remnant when being in its gripping position,
• said method comprising the steps of:
• a) clamping a workpiece into said clamping device in such a way that at least a workpiece portion of the workpiece projects beyond the clamping device, said workpiece portion being to be machined,
• b) clamping at least one of said plurality of tools into said work spindle and machining said workpiece portion with said at least one tool clamped into said work spindle,
• c) separating the workpiece portion, when machined, from said workpiece such that a residual workpiece remains in the clamping device, and
• f) disposing of the residual workpiece remaining in the clamping device when the residual workpiece is a remnant, by
• g) clamping said spindle gripper into said work spindle,
• h) moving said work spindle in such a way that said spindle gripper can grip said remnant,
• i) gripping said remnant by said spindle gripper,
• j) releasing said remnant from said clamping device, and
• k) moving said work spindle to deposit said spindle gripper holding said remnant for subsequent disposal of the remnant from said spindle gripper.