Workpiece identification providing method, workpiece, workpiece identifying method and apparatus thereof, and sheet metal machining apparatus

A metal workpiece comprising:

• an identification mark providing region provided in an area, formed unitarily and continuously with the workpiece, of an unused portion of the workpiece;
• a plurality of identification areas of plural columns and rows plotted in the identification mark providing region;
• and
• identification holes formed in a predetermined number of identification areas, all of said identification holes having a substantially equal size.

A metal workpiece identifying method comprising:

• providing an identification mark providing region in an area, formed unitarily and continuously with the workpiece, of an unused portion of the workpiece;
• plotting a plurality of identification areas of plural columns and rows in this identification mark providing region;
• forming identification holes in a predetermined number of identification areas, all of said identification holes having a substantially equal size;
• providing identification sensors corresponding to the identification areas on one side of a face of the workpiece;
• and
• identifying the workpiece by detecting the identification holes by means of the identification sensors.

Sheet metal machining apparatus comprising a workpiece feed device and a carry-away device for a sheet metal work machine,

• wherein the feed device or the carry-away device is provided with a workpiece identification apparatus for identifying positional relations of holes punched in a metal workpiece, all of said identification holes having a substantially equal size;
• wherein the workpiece identification apparatus is an identification body constructed so that an identification mark providing region is provided in an area, formed unitarily and continuously with the workpiece, of an unused portion of the workpiece, a plurality of identification areas of plural columns and rows are plotted in the identification mark providing region, identification holes are formed in a predetermined number of identification areas and identification sensors corresponding to the respective identification area are provided on one side of a face of the workpiece to detect the identification holes;
• and
• wherein each said identification sensor comprises a body housing a plurality of sensors, each sensor including a mounting mechanism for movement of each sensor toward and away from the workpiece.