The separating device (I) has, for the stack (3) a magazine shaft (1) with a separating slot (20). The stack rests on two rows of rollers (60), with axes aligned at right angles to direction of separation, and the lowest card (30) is moved by a slide (4) on the bars (40) in the separation direction (VR) through the slot (20). The size of the slot prevents two cards passing through. The slide is displaced by a crank disc (42) attached to the connecting rod (43), powered by an electric motor. The card is only moved sufficient to engage with the feed rollers (50). They pass the card separated to the processing station (II). Sensors are located at the slide to send a signal to an electronic controller when the slide is in the out position and when the card has pass through the slot.
