Detection of foreign parts and slag on a worktable

A method of detecting objects on support elements of a worktable, and that at least partially block a space between adjacent support elements, with a device comprising an optical sensor for detecting the objects in the space between two respective support elements, wherein the optical sensor is displaceable and arranged along the worktable in a second direction perpendicular to the support elements in such a way that a cross-sectional area of the space between two support elements can be checked by the optical sensor, and light configured for illuminating the object following detection by the optical sensor, wherein the light source is configured to indicate a location of the object using a point of light, wherein the support elements are provided to support a flat workpiece for processing with a laser or a water jet, wherein the support elements extend in a first direction across the worktable and are arranged parallel to one another in the second direction and have a first distance from one another in the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the optical sensor determines a distance to the object using a triangulation method or a light transmit time such that the location between the adjacent support elements is determined by the optical sensor and illuminated by the light source, wherein the optical sensor determines a width of the object, the method comprising:

• checking the space between a first and a second support element for the object on the first and/or second support elements and determining if the object is a foreign part or a deposit, wherein the object is the foreign part when the object contacts both of the first and second support elements and wherein the object is the deposit when the object contacts only one of the first and second support elements, wherein the first and second support elements each extend in the first direction across the worktable and support the flat workpiece from a position vertically below the flat workpiece, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be displaced along the worktable in the second direction to check a cross-sectional area of the space between the first and second support elements, the space extending in the first direction,
• generating an output signal indicating that the object is either the foreign part or the deposit, and
• determining that the space between the first and second support elements is sufficiently free of the object when the width of the object is less than a predetermined distance.

A non-transitory computer program product having a software program comprising a set of commands which when loaded onto a computer, and connected to a device for checking for objects on support elements of a worktable, wherein the support elements are configured to support a flat workpiece for processing with a laser or a water jet, wherein the support elements extend in a first direction across the worktable and are arranged parallel to one another in a second direction and have a first distance from one another in the second direction, cause the device to execute a method comprising:

• checking a space between a first and a second support element for objects on the first and/or second support elements and determining if the objects include foreign parts or deposits using an optical sensor, wherein the objects are the foreign parts when the objects contacts both of the first and second support elements and wherein the objects are the deposits when the objects contact only one of the first and second support elements, wherein the first and second support elements each extend in the first direction across the worktable and support the flat workpiece from a position vertically below the flat workpiece, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be displaced along the worktable in the second direction to check a cross-sectional area of the space between the first and second support elements, the space extending in the first direction;
• generating an output signal for each of the objects, the output signal indicating that each of the objects is either the foreign part or the deposit, and
• determining that the space between the first and second support elements is sufficiently free of the objects when none of the objects has a distance greater than a predetermined distance.