Punch and Die Alignment

The Cleveland Punch and Die tip for the day is a basic one: alignment. The punch must be aligned correctly with the die to maximize tooling life. After installing the punch and die, the operator should slowly advance the punch into the die to be sure that the punch is centered with the hole in the die. This can be checked fairly easily by making sure the clearance is equal on all sides of the punch when entering into the die.

On most ironworker punching machines a coupling nut, spanner nut or quick change sleeve is used to secure the punch to the machine. These devices are usually threaded onto a punch stem which transfers the hydraulic or mechanical energy of the machine down into the punch to generate the hole in the material. This energy transfer takes place at the top of the punch (the head), which butts up against the punch stem.

Since large amounts of pressure are exerted in this area, the base of the punch stem and the head of the punch must be flat and parallel to each other. If either is uneven, worn or cocked, the energy of the punching machine is no longer transferred through the center of the punch. This usually causes the punch to cock and strike the die, ultimately resulting in the punch cracking or failing.

By performing a quick check of punch and die alignment each time the tooling is changed, the punch and die life will be extended, resulting in "More Holes Per Dollar".