Table for receiving a workpiece and method for processing a workpiece on such table

A device for processing a workpiece, comprising:

• a table having a flat support surface for holding the workpiece where the support surface comprises at least two surface sections which follow one another in a longitudinal direction and are separated by a gap running transversely to the longitudinal direction and where, in each surface section, outflow orifices for feeding compressed gas for producing a gas cushion between each said surface section and a bottom of the workpiece are distributed over the surface sections;
• a feed apparatus and a receptacle for the workpiece and a drive device suitable for displacing the receptacle in the longitudinal direction across the gap;
• a processing device for processing the workpiece, the processing device comprising at least one laser unit directed towards the gap;
• at least one detector for markings, the detector being used for controlling the position of the workpiece, the workpiece having thereon, a plurality of said markings that are detected by the detector to establish a position of the workpiece relative to the table or to the processing device;
• the at least one detector being arranged in the gap or above the gap;
• and
• a plurality of groups of orifices arranged in a row in succession over an entire width of the table, each group of orifices having a take-off orifice and an outflow orifice which surrounds the take-off orifice.

A device for processing a workpiece, comprising:

• a table having a flat support surface for holding the workpiece where the support surface comprises at least two surface sections which follow one another in a longitudinal direction and are separated by a gap running transversely to the longitudinal direction and where, in each surface section outflow orifices for feeding compressed gas for producing a gas cushion between each said surface section and a bottom of the workpiece are distributed over the surface sections;
• a feed apparatus and a receptacle for the workpiece and a drive device suitable for displacing the receptacle in the longitudinal direction across the gap;
• a processing device for processing the workpiece, the processing device comprising at least one laser unit directed towards the gap;
• at least one detector for markings, the detector being used for controlling the position of the workpiece, the workpiece having thereon, a plurality of said markings that are detected by the detector to establish the position of the workpiece relative to the table or to the processing device;
• and
• a plurality of groups of orifices arranged in a row in succession over an entire width of the table, each group of orifices having a take-off orifice and an outflow orifice which surrounds the take-off orifice, the take-off orifices removing said compressed gas from between the bottom of the workpiece and a respective surface section adjacent the groups of orifices.