Device for machining a planar workpiece and corresponding method

1. A device for machining a flat workpiece, which comprises:

a machine stand which includes a support surface for a flat workpiece, wherein the support surface has at least one counterholder which serves as a vibration damper which acts in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, the counterholder having at least one brush element with a plurality of bristles, wherein ends of the bristles of the brush element form the front face of the counterholder on which the workpiece can be placed,

a hold-down unit for pressing the workpiece against the support surface, and

a processing head which can be moved relative to the support surface for the machining of the workpiece,

wherein the brush element is formed by at least one brush strip having a length that is substantially greater than a width perpendicular to the length, wherein the bristles extend perpendicularly to the length and to the width;

a holding rail on the machine stand; and

the hold-down unit being arranged on the holding rail.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration damper is prestressed via a clamping force which is provided by the hold-down unit and/or by at least one component of the force of gravity of the workpiece, which acts perpendicularly to the support surface.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration damper of the counterholder is formed on the front face of the counterholder and can be passed through by a tool for the machining of the workpiece, without destruction of the tool.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the vibration damper comprises at least one passage channel extending parallel to the support surface, for a tool for the machining of the workpiece.

5. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the vibration damper comprises a material which can be subjected to the processing, with formation of a passage channel, by the tool for the machining of the workpiece at a feed speed at which the processing head is moved over the workpiece, without destruction of the tool.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the brush strip is segmented in the longitudinal direction thereof, and includes several brush strip portions which are spaced apart from one another by a gap in the longitudinal direction of the brush strip.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the brush strip is arranged with respect to an expected feed direction of the processing head in such a manner that the brush strip can be passed through by the tool substantially perpendicularly to the length.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the brush element is fastened replaceably on the holding rail, and wherein the holding rail is fastened directly or via a plurality of spacers on the machine stand.

9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the holding rail comprises an undercut recess extending in the longitudinal direction of the holding rail for the mounting of the brush strip, wherein the holding rail comprises, on at least one of the longitudinal ends thereof, an opening through which the bristle strip can be inserted into the recess.

10. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the holding rail comprises a mounting recess extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, along which the hold-down unit is slidably inserted.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the holding rail is a hollow profile which has an open longitudinal side, through which the mounting recess is accessible and which is limited by two parallel flanges which are spaced apart and extend perpendicularly to the support surface, and on the free longitudinal edge of which a respective brush strip is fastened.