Punching device with modular punching means

A punching device for processing dried samples applied to a sample card, comprising:

• a support structure;
• at least one punching head removably coupled to the support structure, the at least one punching head having a punch and a lower die, wherein the punch is movable between a rest position in which the punch is away from the lower die and a punching position in which the punch is close to the lower die, and wherein the punching head has a receiving opening into which a sample card is introducible by a movable gripper unit of the punching device and the moveable gripper unit is positionable relative to the punching head,
• a punching drive fastened to the support structure, wherein the punching drive is couplable or coupled to the punch of the punching head and is configured to drive the movement of the punch between the rest position and the punching position, wherein the punching drive has a first structure and the punching head has a second structure that is separate from the first structure of the punching drive, wherein the punch and the lower die are arranged on said second structure, wherein the second structure of the punching head is configured such that said punching head forms an exchangeable module that is couplable to the punching drive,
• an actuating element operable to release an engagement between the punching head and the support structure;
• and
• a suction device configured to be coupled to the punching head such that dust particles produced during punching are removable in the region of the lower die, wherein the punching head comprises suction channels formed in the second structure of the punching head.