Industry Terms

 

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 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 - 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 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 Block - A tooling component used for heeling. 

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

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

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 - 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”