PUNCHING DEVICE WITH RECEIVING PLATE

The invention relates to a punching device for processing samples, in particular dried samples, applied to a sample card, preferably liquids containing DNA, such as blood, saliva and the like, comprising at least one punching means with a punch and a lower die, the punch being movable between a resting position at a distance from the lower die and a punching position closer to the lower die. The punching means has a receiving opening into which a sample card can be introduced by means of a movable gripping unit of the punching device and can be positioned in relation to the punching means, and a punching drive, which can be coupled or is coupled to the punch of the punching means and which drives the movement of the punch between the resting position and the punching position, the punching means being designed in such a way that a piece of sample punched out from the sample card can be discharged at an outlet opening of the lower die into a receiving recess of a receiving container (12) arranged underneath the punching means. According to the invention, the punching device has a receiving plate (210), which forms a cover of an outwardly sealed housing (220) for a drive unit (230), by which a transport frame (214) resting on the receiving plate (210) is moved in relation to the punching means (110) in the plane of the plate.