Method and mechanical arrangement for processing a plastically deformable workpiece, in particular a plastically deformable piece of sheet metal

A mechanical arrangement for processing a plastically deformable workpiece, wherein in an initial state, the workpiece has an initial shape that differs from an intended shape for processing, the mechanical arrangement comprising:

• a straightening device having at least one forming element for deforming the workpiece from the initial shape into the intended shape for processing, wherein the forming element forms a workpiece drive configured for driving the workpiece with an advancement movement in a workpiece advancement direction, thereby moving the workpiece to a feeding drive arranged downstream of the workpiece drive,
• a feeding drive configured for driving the workpiece in the workpiece advancement direction, thereby a partial length of the workpiece is conveyable to a working region of a processing device at a feeding speed, wherein the partial length of the workpiece in the working region is processable by the processing device as the feeding drive has been stopped and the partial length of the workpiece is stationary, and
• an arrangement controller comprising a first control unit for controlling the workpiece drive and a second control unit for controlling the feeding drive,
• wherein the first control unit is configured to, while the partial length of the workpiece is being processed in the working region, adjust the advancement speed of the workpiece generated by the workpiece drive such that an intermediate length of the workpiece arranged between the workpiece drive and the feeding drive is shorter than or equal to a maximum intermediate length of the workpiece, and
• wherein the first control unit for controlling the workpiece drive and the second control unit for controlling the feeding drive are configured to, while the workpiece is being conveyed into the working region, adjusting the feeding speed of the workpiece generated by the feeding drive and the advancement speed of the workpiece generated by the workpiece drive such that the intermediate length of the workpiece arranged between the workpiece drive and the feeding drive is shorter than or equal to the maximum intermediate length of the workpiece.