Abstract: A plate pushing device for pushing one or more workpiece plates off of a stack of workpiece plates resting on a lifting platform and into a woodworking machine, such as a plate saw. A pushing element is arranged for free vertical movement on a horizontally driven carriage. A support roller, coupled with the pushing element, extends below the pushing element to ride along the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate and continuously maintain at least a predetermined space between the pushing element and the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate, to preclude damage to the uppermost remaining workpiece plate by the pushing element during its pushing movement. A measuring device is provided on the carriage to detect the height of the lifting platform.

Abstract: A plate sectioning saw with a closing plate for controlling access to a discharge opening for the program controlled sectioning of sets of plates and separation of scrap and discard plates from the sectioned plates, is provided with an orienting device for aligning the sets of workpiece plates prior to sectioning.