To provide an apparatus and a method for working thin sheet material, by which apparatus and method, the positioning accuracy and working efficiency can be improved by performing a series of rational movements for working and handling a workpiece.

The apparatus for working thin sheet material comprises a punch 14 for cutting off the workpiece 10 by being driven into any one of front and back sides of the thin sheet material 12 having a belt shape, etc., a die 16 having a discharging hole 18 for discharging the workpiece 10, a pusher 20 which comes into contact with the back side surface of the thin sheet material 12 in the discharging hole 18 when the workpiece 10 is cut off, and holds and moves the cut-off workpiece 10 between the punch 14 and the pusher 20, a pusher operating means 22 for operating the pusher 20, a collet 30 which is provided so as to fit on the pusher 20, and chucks the workpiece 10 by bringing a plurality of gripping jaws 32 into contact with the peripheral edge of the workpiece 10 discharged from the discharging hole 18, and a collet operating means 35 for operating a plurality of the gripping jaws 32 of the collet 30 so as to chuck the workpiece 10.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT