Method and apparatus for forming by punching

A punch press apparatus (1) for forming planar parts (WA) having a particular peripheral shape from a piece of sheet material (W) including a table transfer system (5) moving said piece of sheet material (W) through a first punching station (A) having a punch assembly (11) and a complementary die assembly (13) in a path corresponding to said shape of said parts (Wa), characterized by a second punching station (B) spaced from said first punching station (A) where at a secondary punching operation is carried out by a second punch assembly (12) and die assembly (14) and punch drive means (7) therefor to complete the formation of the part (Wa), support means including a table (33) located at said second punching station defining a planar surface supporting said sheet material (W) at said second punching station (B) during completion of said punching out of said part (WA);

• a planar trap door member (37) movably mounted for positioning in a closed or open position, said trap door (37) when in said closed position defining a planar subregion within said surface of said table (33), said subregion directly located beneath said part (WA) in said second punching station (B);
• mounting means (38) mounting said trap door member (37) to be downwardly movable to said open position to allow said part (WA) to be separated from the remainder of said piece of sheet material (W) by downward movement through an opening in said surface formed by said downward movement of said trap door (37).