Metalworking method wherein formed configuration locates blank

A metalworking method of cold-working blanks, comprising:

• moving a blank in a feed direction between a lower die of a press and an upper die of the press, the upper and lower dies each being formed with complimentary predetermined curved contours for pre-forming the blank into an undulated form for subsequent formation into an undulated spring, where the lower die is formed with the curved contours in a forming position and also in a locating position such that the curved contours in the forming position and the locating position define a repeating pattern;
• deforming a first portion of a blank between the upper die and the forming position of the lower die into a predetermined configuration corresponding to the curved contours of the upper and lower dies;
• shifting the blank a predetermined distance in the feed direction, the predetermined distance corresponding to a length in the feed direction of the predetermined configuration, thereby moving the first portion of the blank from the forming position of the lower die to the locating position of the lower die such that the first portion of the blank is retained by its deformed shape on the locating portion of the lower die and a further portion of the blank is located above the forming position of the lower die;
• repeating the deforming step to form a new first portion of the blank;
• repeating the shifting step to move the new first portion to the locating position of the lower die such that the new first portion of the blank is retained by its deformed shape on the locating portion of the lower die and another further portion of the blank is located above the forming position of the lower die.