A method and apparatus for protecting a die (1) from damage due to material jams in the material stamping equipment, wherein the material is advanced through the die by press feed rollers (6) powered by a drive motor (5). The position error, of the rollers (6) is monitored by the resolver (11), and the torque, of the drive motor (5) is monitored by a strain gauge (10), during the advance of the material through the die. The monitored position error or torque of the motor (5) is compared to the expected position error or the expected torque. If the monitored position error or torque deviates by more than a tolerance value from the expected position error or torque then the material is moved backwards to a previous position, typically the position at which the material was last stamped. The operation of the material stamping equipment may be stopped after the material is moved back if desired.