Sorting apparatus, separating system and associated methods

A sorting apparatus for assisting a sorting operation of workpieces of a workpiece sheet, wherein the workpieces are connected to the workpiece sheet by predetermined breaking points, the sorting apparatus comprising:

• a support region with support elements for placing the workpiece sheet thereon, the support elements being configured as support bars spaced apart from one another and arranged parallel to one another between two sides of the sorting apparatus, wherein a plurality of sorting openings for the workpieces to fall through are formed between adjacent support elements such that the support region is configured as a support grid,
• an additional support region with additional support elements for placing the workpiece sheet thereon, the additional support elements being configured as support bars spaced apart from one another so as to form a plurality of additional sorting openings between adjacent additional support elements for the workpieces to fall through, the additional sorting openings being smaller than the sorting openings of the support region,
• a collection region arranged below the support region and additional support region and having at least two collection compartments for collecting the workpieces falling through the plurality of sorting openings and additional sorting openings,
• a guide region arranged between the support region and the collection region and between the additional support region and the collection region and having at least one guide element for guiding the workpieces falling through the plurality of sorting openings to the collection compartments, and
• an adjustment device for adjusting the collection compartments relative to the at least one guide element and/or for adjusting the at least one guide element relative to the collection compartments such that, via the at least one guide element, workpieces are selectively fed to a respective collection compartment selected from the at least two collection compartments by the adjusting,
• wherein the support elements comprise brushes on a support side for placing the workpiece sheet, and
• wherein at least two of the support elements form an inclined support surface.