An apparatus for cutting metal plates out of a metal strip includes a laser cutting apparatus that is movable back and forth in a transport direction of the metal strip, and a support device for supporting the metal strip to be cut. The support device includes a first support device having a first support strip and a second support device having a second support strip located opposite the first support strip, wherein the first and the second support strip are moved concurrently with the laser cutting apparatus such that a laser beam of the laser cutting apparatus is always oriented towards a gap formed between the first and the second support strip. A dust discharging device is arranged downstream of the support strips in a discharging direction directed away from the laser cutting apparatus. The support strip and/or the dust discharge shaft includes a ventilation device for ventilating the gap.