Abstract: In front of a bending machine is arranged a unit of a 5-axis control robot provided with a work hand at an end thereof, for loading work to the bending machine and unloading a bent work from the bending machine. A single-work taking-up device takes up only a single work from stacked works. Therefore, the work loading and unloading device is low in cost and requires a short program preparation and teaching (setup) time. The work loading and unloading device may be moved to any desired position and is provided with a work hand having a double-work take-up detecting device and an upper hand accessible to a bent work without interference with the punch.