Support device, machine tool and method for supporting a rod-shaped workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (200) for supporting a rod-shaped workpiece (110) for a machine tool (100) along a longitudinal axis (L) of a support area (220). The support device (200) comprises at least one twin support (210) adapted to support a section of the workpiece (110) in the support area (220), wherein the twin support (210) comprises two support elements (300, 310) each being rotatable around a rotational axis (R1, R2), wherein each of the rotational axes (R1, R2) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein each support element (300, 310) comprises a quadrant shaped support surface (330) forming together a semicircular shaped support surface (340) adapted for supporting a section of the workpiece (110), wherein the support area (220) comprises an open side opposed to the semicircular shaped support surface (340), and wherein the support elements (300, 310) are adapted to provide a varying diameter of the semicircular shaped support surface (340) based upon the position of rotation around the rotational axis (R1, R2) in order to support varying workpieces (110).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.