Abstract: According to one method, bulk materials are conveyed in a metered quantity on at least one plate element and are lifted up from the plate element in order to organize the bulk materials by a movement oriented approximately perpendicularly to the plate element. The plate element is moved up and down at least transversely to the plate element support surface by at least one pulse, preferably two successive pulses, such that the bulk materials located on the plate element are lifted up from the plate element for a short time during each pulse, thus allowing an efficient and highly productive conveyance of the bulk materials.

Abstract: A workpiece is clamped onto a worktable that can travel in at least three directions at right angles to each other relatively to each of several tools. The tools which are inserted each in an individually driven work spindle with only one of the spindles cutting at a time. The spindles are located in a stationary spindle support or in spindle supports permitting linear travel. The workpiece and the tools are brought into contact by numerically controlled movements in the Z-direction, in the X- and Y-directions or in the X- and Z-directions. An automatic tool changing device cooperates with the spindles and with at least one tool magazine. For changing tools, one or one each changer arm or comparable device can work in conjunction with a spindle and with at least one tool magazine.