Woodworking machine having a disengageable parallel stop

A woodworking machine comprising:

• a workpiece table with a horizontal workpiece support surface and a saw slot;
• a saw unit with a circular saw blade arranged to protrude from the saw slot and defining a horizontal saw line;
• a workpiece stop movably arranged above the workpiece support surface, the workpiece stop having a vertically standing workpiece stop surface disposed such that a plate-shaped workpiece resting on the workpiece support surface in a support area arranged horizontally between the saw blade and the workpiece stop can be placed with a side edge against the workpiece stop surface;
• and
• a sensor device;
• wherein the sensor device is configured to generate a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal characterizes a start of cut or an end of cut;
• wherein an actuator is mechanically coupled to the workpiece stop or the saw unit;
• wherein a control unit is coupled to the actuator and the sensor device in terms of signaling, and wherein the control unit is configured to receive the sensor signal and to generate an actuator control signal in dependence on the sensor signal and transmit it to the actuator;
• and
• wherein the actuator is adapted to move the workpiece stop or the saw unit upon receipt of the actuator control signal such that a clamping distance leading to clamping of the workpiece between the circular saw blade and the workpiece stop surface is eliminated.

A method for controlling a woodworking machine comprising the steps of:

• cutting a plate-shaped workpiece with a circular saw blade that defines a saw line, wherein one side of the workpiece is arranged at a workpiece stop surface of a movable workpiece stop, by means of a cut having a start of cut and an end of cut;
• detecting of the end of cut or the start of cut;
• and
• moving the workpiece stop such that, depending on the detection of the end of cut, a clamping distance leading to clamping of the workpiece between the circular saw blade and the workpiece stop surface is suspended, by:
• moving the workpiece stop surface horizontally;
• pivoting the saw blade about a horizontal axis;
• moving the saw blade vertically;
• or
• stopping the saw blade.