DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING STACKED THIN PLATES

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure quick separation of thin plates, if different in thickness, quality and shape and low in strength, in a simple structure. SOLUTION: A central portion on the upper face of a thin plate 22a in uppermost arrangement out of a plurality of thin plates 22 held among guide members 38a-38d of a stacking and holding means 39 in vertically stacked relation is put in face contact with the lower face 29 of a thrusting member 30 and resiliently thrust with a limited load or less corresponding to the strength of the thin plate 22 by the spring face of compression springs 44a-44b, with its peripheral edge attracted by an attracting pad 26 and curved, and then an elevator 33 is moved up. The central portion of the thin plate 22a is thrust with proper force of the thrusting member 30 by the spring force of the compression springs 44a-44d and gently curved to be recessed downward. This prevents local overstress and damage to the thin plates 22 during attraction and separation, improving a yield and ensuring quick separation of the thin plates, if low in strength.