Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming planar parts (WA) by progressively punching out the shape of the part (WA) from a piece of sheet material (W) in which the part (WA) is automatically removed from the remaining sheet material (W), by a hinged trap door section (37) in a work supporting table (33), one end lowered to form a chute. The punching process is carried out primarily in a first punching station (A), where punch and die set magazines (18, 19) may be mounted, but connecting sections (WC) are left to be removed in a second punching station (B) where the trap door section (37) is located. The separated parts (WC) are deposited on a conveyor system (36) located beneath the table 33, and detector unit (59, 61) enables shut down of the press if a part fails to move after each punching operation.