Method of press hardening and cutting of a sheet material

The tool comprises: two tool parts (200, 300) that are moved, relative to each other, in a working direction and between which a heated sheet metal material is formed by applying a compressive force acting in the working direction; and a separation device, with which a separation operation is executed at the metal material present between the tool parts. The separation device comprises a separation vane that is movable transverse to the working direction, with which the separation operation is executable after forming the metal material in a steep section extending to the working direction. The tool comprises: two tool parts (200, 300) that are moved, relative to each other, in a working direction and between which a heated sheet metal material is formed by applying a compressive force acting in the working direction; and a separation device, with which a separation operation is executed at the sheet metal material present between the tool parts. The separation device comprises a separation vane that is movable transverse to the working direction, with which the separation operation is executable after forming the sheet metal material in a steep section extending to the working direction. One of the tool parts is formed with a tool segment (220) that is supported resiliently on a base plate of the tool part and with a cooling device (230, 330) for the active cooling of a tool effective area. The movable separation vane: is passively actuated; is shifted in a direction transverse to the working direction; is formed for cutting or punching the sheet metal material; and comprises a given direction of movement that vertically extends to the steep section. The tool further comprises: a driver for the passive operation of the separation vane; a spring device (240) for resilient support of the tool segment at the base plate, where the spring device acts as a gas pressure spring and a nitrogen spring; and a drive element for the active operation of the separation vane. A cross-section line for the separation operation executed by the movable separation vane partially passes in a non-active cooled steep section. An independent claim is included for a method for press hardening a sheet metal material.