Suction device, laser processing machine, and method for suctioning

A laser processing machine with a laser processing head which is moved in a processing space over a workpiece holder, the laser processing machine comprising:

• at least one air supply opening for supplying air into a chamber,
• a fan and several flaps for exhausting air from the chamber which are to be opened selectively in order to generate an air flow and which are in communication with the fan,
• a control configured to detect a future position of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the detected position of the laser processing head, and
• wherein the control is configured to detect the operating state of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the future position and the operating state of the laser processing head corresponding to the future position, and wherein the flaps open before the start of the processing operating statem, in the region of the process operating state for an optimum air flow or a volume flow,
• wherein the control is further configured to determine a future position and the operating state of the laser processing head corresponding to this position on the basis of a processing plan, and
• wherein the processing space is further configured to receive a workpiece to be machined.