Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic feed and separation system (1) for flat substrates (3) such as papers and the like in a stack (5, 5?, 5?), and to a corresponding method. The system has: a rear edge separating apparatus (10) for separation of a top substrate (3) from the stack (5, 5?, 5?) in the area of the rear edge (9) of the stack (5, 5?, 5?) in the transport direction (7), a transport apparatus (20) for the top substrate (3) in the area of the front edge (8) of the stack (5, 5?, 5?) in the transport direction (7), and a control unit (30).

Abstract: A linear actuator, adapted especially for picking up and transporting workpieces, comprises a pneumatic, rodless cylinder having a pair of driven elements mounted on opposite sides of its body. The first driven element is directly connected to the piston of the cylinder via a sealed, longitudinal slot formed in the cylinder body and the second driven element is drivably connected to the piston or first driven element by a flexible drive band that passes around rollers mounted at opposite ends of the cylinder body. The driven elements therefore move linearly in opposite directions to one other upon actuation of the rodless cylinder. The second driven element may be fixedly secured to a stationary structure so that, upon actuation of the cylinder, the cylinder body itself and the first element will simultaneously execute linear motion in the same direction whereby the first element, which may have a work piece--gripping device mounted on it, will in effect execute double its normal stroke length.