Method for activating a workpiece manipulator of a machine tool

A method for activating a workpiece manipulator of a machine tool, comprising a control device, the control device prescribing machining paths for a workpiece via a processor,

• wherein the workpiece manipulator travels the machining paths from a machine starting position,
• wherein the workpiece can be moved by the workpiece manipulator in a multi-axially translatory manner and is passed to a plurality of tools one after another for step-by-step machining,
• wherein, in a case of termination of machining, the workpiece manipulator is made to move with the workpiece back over a path of movement assigned to a respective machining step into a prior position, the prior position being prior to the respective machining step, and is vacated by the tool,
• wherein in the prior position the workpiece manipulator is stopped or the workpiece manipulator is moved from the prior position into the machine starting position,
• wherein starting from a position of the termination of machining the processor can calculate an inverse path of the path of movement leading to a starting or intermediate position associated with the respective machining step, and
• wherein the workpiece manipulator is then moved with the workpiece back along the calculated inverse path up to the starting or intermediate position associated with the respective machining step.