Apparatus for fixing objects by means of vacuum

A device for fixing objects by means of a vacuum, said device comprising a table extending in the directions of x and y and comprising a plurality of vacuum chambers which are formed in the table in the direction of z in order to evenly distribute the vacuum connected to the table, and comprising a tabletop which is arranged to cover the table and the vacuum chambers and has a plurality of perforation holes arranged in a grid-like manner, wherein a first vacuum chamber is arranged directly below the tabletop, said first vacuum chamber defining a minimum format (M) of an effective surface area (W) of the table in the directions of x and y and contacting two adjacent lateral surfaces of the table and being permanently connected to a vacuum extraction means which is connected to the table, and wherein at least one further vacuum chamber, enabling an extension of the effective surface area W beyond the minimum format M, is arranged in contact with at least one side of the first vacuum chamber and/or at least one side of the at least one further vacuum chamber, and the first vacuum chamber and said at least one further vacuum chamber have a switchable connection to the vacuum extraction means, wherein the at least one further vacuum chamber comprises

• a second vacuum chamber extending the first vacuum chamber to the entire extension in the direction of y, wherein the second vacuum chamber comprises a structure consisting of a plurality of parallel, line-forming grooves extending in the direction of x, which grooves are connected to each other by a first connection channel in the direction of y and can be released or closed serially with respect to the first vacuum chamber by means of a line-switching device, and
• a third vacuum chamber extending the first vacuum chamber and the second vacuum chamber to the entire extension in the direction of x, the third vacuum chamber comprises a structure consisting of a plurality of parallel, column-forming grooves extending in the direction of y, which are connected to each other via a second connection channel in the direction of x and can be released or closed serially with respect to the first vacuum chamber by means of a column-switching device, and the third vacuum chamber can be released or closed serially in the direction of y by means of the line-switching device, in a simultaneous, segmented manner and according to the number and positions of the line-forming grooves in correspondence with the second vacuum chamber, so as to achieve a column- and line-wise size adjustment of the effective surface area W of the table in at least one of the directions of x and y.