Device and method for connecting sheet metal parts to form lamination stacks

A method for connecting sheet metal parts to form lamination stacks, the method comprising:

• stamping sheet metal parts out of an electrical steel strip using at least one stamping stage, which has a die and a cutting edge that cooperates with the die, wherein said die has a die geometry;
• stacking and at least integrally joining the stamped-out sheet metal parts to form a plurality of lamination stacks;
• providing a separating element at least between a first sheet metal part of the stacked sheet metal parts and a subsequent second sheet metal part of the stacked sheet metal parts, in order to facilitate separation of the integrally joined sheet metal parts in lamination stacks, wherein after the first sheet metal part is stamped out and before the second sheet metal part is stamped out, the separating element which, in accordance with the die geometry, is smaller or of the same size in comparison to the die geometry, is conveyed to the die and inserted into said die by a conveyor of a feeder unit, wherein the conveyor can be moved toward and away from the die and that has a holding means for the separating element, and is thus provided to the first sheet metal part.