Industry Terms

At Elyria Spring & Stamping we strive to help our clients arrive at the best solutions. We believe part of that process is ensuring you are armed with the right information to determine the best fit for your needs. Below is a list of Industry terms to help you in your decision making process.
 

 
Advance – The amount that a strip or part moves forward in a progressive stamping operation. Also called Jump.

Blank Die – A type of cutting tool in which the die matrix is mounted in the lower with a single punch in the upper. Generally, a blank die has no internal features and the part in passed down through the lower die.

Carrier Strip – “Sacrificial” stock used in a progressive stamping operation that carries the part from station to station. The carrier is linked to the part and eventually becomes scrap once it is cut-free.

Compound Die – A type of cutting tool in which the die matrix is mounted in the upper. I compound die has a lower mounted contour punch and upper mounted perforators and punches for internal features. This is an inverted form of a Blank Die with additional internal holes.

Die – (1.) A matrix within which a punch creates an opening in a part. (2.) A block against which work is done. The die is usually mounted in the lower and is the fixed element.

Die Land – The amount of “straight” in a die matrix that exists for sharpening before the relief taper begins. Typically this is about 1/8” to 1 /4”.

Die Life – Die Land expressed as “grind life” or “re-sharpening life”.

Die Penetration – The amount that a punch penetrates a die during a stamping operation. Typically this is about .050”.

Die Straight – See Die Land. Refers to the “Straight” portion of a die profile.

French Stop – See Fringe Stop. A misnomer for Fringe Stop.

Fringe Stop – In progressive stamping, a stop that is “at the fringes” of the carrier strip. This stop is a fixed point that will stop the forward progress of a strip once the strip has been notched away. The notch length is typically one stock advance. Sometimes called a “French Stop”.

Heel – A “metal-to-metal” condition between two blocks in a tool used to control or balance imbalanced forces.

Heel Block – A tooling component used for heeling.

Heel Radius – A radius provided on a tooling component(s) that prevents two blocks from shearing against each other when they are used to contain forces.

Heel – To contain forces via a heel block or similar “metal-to-metal” technique.

Knock Out – A tooling component that ejects a part from a matrix (like in a compound die) or a punch (as in a form die).

Knock Out Bar – A press component that straddles the ram in the punch press that is used for “positive knock out”.

Knock Out – A plate in a tool that that distributes force (typically via pins).

Lift – To lift stock via a lifter.

Lifter – A feature in a tool that lifts the stock as it conveys through a progressive die.

Matrix – See Die – strictly speaking a matrix is a tooling component into which a punch is entered to create a part or slug.

Notch – (1.) A part feature that is cut into a (typically) straight edge. (2.) The process of creating a part feature that is cut into a (typically) straight edge.

Perf – Short for perforator.

Perforator – A punch that is fitted to a regular shaped body, most likely a round body with a head.

Pilot – A feature in a tool that locates a part or strip between operations. Similar to a locator, but used in progressive stamping tools to assure station to station alignment.

Pilot – To locate a part or strip in a progressive stamping operation via a pilot.

Positive Knock Out – A condition in which a knock out operation is “positive” in that it is mechanically tied into the end of the press stroke and acts via a “top knock out” pin that is integral to the punch press.

Pressure Pad – A lower tooling element that pins the part while work is being performed.

Punch – (1.) Part of a tool that creates an opening. A male feature that creates an opening, usually in conjunction with a female matrix (or die). (2.) A block that does the work during a forming operation. Punches are usually mounted in the upper and are the moving element.

Scrap – The scrap that results from a punching operation in general.

Semi-Perf – A partially sheared feature that leaves a boss profile (that is the same size as the die). Used commonly for locating parts via a hole & slot – these are usually round features. Also called half-shear.

Shedder – A tool component that sheds a part from a die matrix. Generally a thin plate that sits inside of a die, especially in a Compound Die.

Skim – To cut in a progressively finer fashion, typically using Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) specifically for the creation of accurate size.

Skyhook – A fixed tooling component that strips a part from a form punch. Skyhooks are typically lower mounted.

Slug – The scrap that results from a punching operation, the “left over” material from a punching operation. Slugs are almost always passed through the lower die, usually resulting from a fully profile cut.

Stop Block – A block that is used for setting the reference height of a tool while in the press so that an accurate part may be obtained. Also called Kiss-Blocks or Set-Blocks. Stop blocks are generally used in balanced sets and are not intended to stop the forward motion of the press ram, but rather act as a reference point for tool setup.

Stripper – A tool component that strips the scrap from a punch. Generally a thin plate that surrounds a punch or set of punches.

Strip – To eject scrap (or a part) from a tooling component, typically a punch.

Wire – Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining): typically used for the creation of punch and die contours. Typical wire sizes range from approximately .004” to .010”