Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding machine and a method of automatically folding a folding box made of a pre-grooved carton blank. The folding machine according to the invention is provided with at least one alignment means (5) for aligning said carton blank into a predeternined position on a receiving plane, a pre-folding flap (8) assigned to one tab (113) of said carton blank at a time for lifting said tabs (113) out of the receiving plane, said pre-folding flaps (8) being movable on the receiving plane, at least one fixing means (6) for securing said carton blank, at least one erecting flap (9, 10) assigned to one side wall (112) of said carton blank at a time, said erecting flap being movable on the receiving plane, and at least one connecting means assigned to one tab (113) at a time for connecting said tab (113) to the associated side walls.

Abstract: A feed and stacking device for slab-shaped workpieces has a rigid frame which is pivotally mounted on a base stand for movement between a horizontal position and a raised position. A support bar is movable along the length of the frame and carries a plurality of vacuum operated pick-up devices for transferring a workpiece from a stack to a processing device or vice versa.