Abstract: A die for stamping sheet metal comprises a first portion with a convex bead, a second portion with a concave channel, at least one accelerometer positioned near the concave channel. When a sheet metal is positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion are configured to be brought together so that the convex bead mates with the concave channel to apply a blank holding force (BHF) to the sheet metal to clamp the sheet metal. The at least one accelerometer measures a time domain parameter or profile or a frequency domain parameter or profile during the placement of the sheet metal.