To more efficiently perform the work of separating the surface layer material of a sheet-like multilayer base material by moving a separating claw toward the surface layer material of the multilayer base material in a state of the tip of the separating claw abutting on the end surface of the multilayer base material.

A working unit 22 is energized to the mounting side of a separating claw 1 by the elastic force of an elastic body 26, whereby the end surface of a multilayer base material 2 is pressed by the tip of the separating claw 1. At this time, the separating claw 1 is elastically deformed by its own spring elasticity. A pressure rising cylinder 17 is actuated in this state to raise the working unit 22. When it reaches above the multilayer base material 2, the separating claw 1 is released from the drag from the multilayer base material 2 and moved toward the tip side by the elastic force, and its elastic deformation is solved. According to this, the surface layer of the multilayer base material 2 is flicked by the tip of the separating claw 2, and the end part of the surface layer material is separated. In the after treatment, the whole surface layer material is separated.