Method and apparatus for feeding an elongate workpiece to a forming machine

An apparatus for feeding an elongate workpiece to a forming machine having a drawing-in device, the drawing-in device is operated at a varying drawing-in speed to convey the workpiece to a tool region of the forming machine, comprising:

• a first feed unit and a second feed unit, wherein each of the first feed unit and the second feed unit has a receiving device that receives a portion of the elongate workpiece in the form of a coil, and a straightening unit connected downstream of the receiving device and straightens the workpiece before the workpiece enters the forming machine,
• wherein the first feed unit and the second feed unit are arranged on a common platform movable between a first working position and a second working position,
• wherein, in the first working position of the platform, the first feed unit is arranged in a working position suitable for transferring portions of the elongate workpiece to the forming machine, and the second feed unit is arranged in a setting-up position, and, in the second working position of the platform, the second feed unit is arranged in the working position and the first feed unit in a setting-up position, and
• an adjustment station, wherein in each of the setting-up position of the first working position and the second working position the straightening unit is positioned in the adjustment station to adjust the straightening unit in an adjustment operation, the adjustment operation comprising a straightness check.