Abstract: Workpieces in the shape of plates can be transported from an input station to a workstation and from there to an output station by means of two manipulation device in a working plane. A gripper of one of the manipulation means can be displaced between the input station and the workstation. The gripper of the other manipulation device can be displaced between the workstation and the output station, whereby the displacement ranges overlap. As the first half of the processing time has been approximately completed in the workstation, the workpiece r is transferred from the gripper on the input side to the gripper on the output side. Meanwhile, the respectively free gripper returns to its station and to the workstation, so that the processing can be carried out almost without any interruption.