Method and device for detecting an impending incomplete cut or an incomplete cut which has already occurred when thermally separating a workpiece

Abstract

In order to be able to detect a possible loss of cut during the thermal separation of a workpiece as early as during the separation, the invention proposes a method for detecting an impending loss of cut or a loss of cut that has already occurred, in which energy is input into a cutting region and which comprises the following method steps: a) applying a first alternating signal to the workpiece, b) identifying a second alternating signal caused by the first alternating signal in a measurement electrode spaced apart from the workpiece, c) ascertaining the phase shift between the first and second alternating signal by outputting a phase shift signal, d) comparing the phase shift signal with a prescribed upper limit value and a prescribed lower limit value for the phase shift signal, wherein, when the phase shift signal exceeds the upper limit value or undershoots the lower limit value, the energy input is changed, for example, by stopping the thermal separation of the workpiece.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.