Plate-dividing system for dividing plate-shaped workpieces, and method for the operation thereof

A plate dividing-system for dividing plate-shaped workpieces with a first advancing device for moving plate-shaped workpieces, the first advancing device comprising a first support and a plurality of first gripping mechanisms, the plate dividing-system having a second advancing device for moving plate-shaped workpieces, the second advancing device comprising a second support and at least one second gripping mechanism, and the plate dividing-system having a feed area defined transversely in relation to a direction of feed, inside which feed area a workpiece to be moved by the first advancing device in the direction of feed and a workpiece to be moved by the second advancing device in the direction of feed are arranged, and which feed area comprises a first wide area defined transversely in relation to the direction of feed, in which the first gripping mechanisms are arranged at least during an advancing movement, and a second wide area, in which second wide area the second gripping mechanism is arranged, whereby the second support is arranged laterally outside the feed area, and wherein the first advancing device and the second advancing device are movable independently of each other is characterized in that:

• a. the first wide area being immediately adjacent to the second wide area, wherein the wide areas do not overlap,
• b. the second gripping mechanism is always arranged laterally of the second support and thus is constantly in the second wide area,
• c. the second gripping mechanism is movable relative to the second support from a lowered advancing position into a raised rest position and back, and
• d. the height of the clearance underneath the second gripping mechanism, in its raised rest position corresponds to at least the maximum height of a stack of workpieces that are gripped by the first gripping mechanism.