Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the removal of areas of material punched out from a material in sheet form by projecting, closed punching edges on the circumferential surface of at least one rotating punching cylinder by means of compressed air, which is fed into the punching cylinder and led out from the punching cylinder through outlet openings lying within the closed punching edges, wherein the compressed air from an opening in a side face of a member at least partially embracing the punching cylinder in a guided manner is fed to inlet openings assigned to the outlet openings, which inlet openings are located in a side face of the punching cylinder closely adjacent to the side face of the member.