Method for removing workpart blanks from sheet-metal strip

A method of forming finished workparts from a continuous strip of sheet-metal in a blanking station (14, 114) and forming station (16) both arranged along an axis (A), comprising the steps of;

• feeding a continuous strip of sheet-metal (26, 126) to a blanking station (14, 114) disposed along the axis (A);
• blanking a workpart from the strip of sheet-metal (26, 126) at the blanking station (14, 114) along the axis (A);
• transferring the workpart by a transfer mechanism from the blanking station (14, 114) to at least a first successive forming station (16) along the axis (A);
• further forming the workpart at the first forming station (16);
• characterized by sequentially moving the strip (26, 126) both along the axis (A) and laterally of the axis (A) to blank successive workparts from the strip (26, 126) along the axis (A) at laterally staggered positions along the length of the strip (26, 126) to minimize material waste while simultaneously transferring previously blanked workparts from the blanking station (14, 114) to the first forming station (16) along the axis (A), the movement of the strip (26, 126) to the blanking station (14, 114) being different than the movement of the workparts from the blanking station (14, 114) to the forming station (16).