Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Round Tip, Light Duty, Metric

Q: How do I choose the correct point length (L1) to ensure proper ball-lock engagement depth?

Select L1 from the available point-length groups: 12–15 , 12–21 , 15–27 , or 21–32 mm . Use L1 to set the depth of the round tip’s functional contact with the mating ball-lock pocket. This helps ensure engagement is consistent without bottoming out on the opposite mold surface.

Q: What shank diameter (D) range is available, and how does it affect fit in the mold plate bore?

The shank diameter D is specified as 6 ~ 38 mm . Choose a diameter that matches your guide bore and supports stable alignment during mold assembly. Because no tolerance values are provided, you should verify clearance/press-fit or sliding-fit requirements against your mold design specification.

Q: What is the role of the P dimension (1.55–11.95 mm) in compatibility with ball-lock locating systems?

This series specifies P as 1.55 ~ 11.95 mm , which indicates a geometry parameter tied to the interface profile. Confirm that your mating socket or recess geometry is compatible with the P dimension used in your pilot punch selection. Because no detailed tolerance guidance is included in the provided data, validate fit using your drawing stack-up and mating part profiles.

Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Round Tip, Light Duty, Metric (Dayton) deliver reliable locating performance with a round tip for consistent positioning in mold and die assembly. The XNT DayTiN® coating helps extend tool life under repeated contact.

Round tip geometry supports stable pilot positioning for light duty applications
XNT DayTiN® coated surface improves wear resistance during punch operation
Metric format designed for compatibility with standard tooling and machining setups
Ideal for mold bases and die components requiring accurate ball-lock locating

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Specifications

16 configurations available

Material	D (Shank dia.) (mm)	L1 (Point Length) (mm)	L (Length) (mm)	P Dimension (mm)
M2	06	12 ～ 15	65 ～ 102	1.55 ～ 6
PS4	06	12 ～ 15	65 ～ 102	1.55 ～ 6
M2	10	12 ～ 21	65 ～ 112	1.55 ～ 10
PS4	10	12 ～ 21	65 ～ 112	1.55 ～ 10
M2	13	15 ～ 27	65 ～ 127	2.05 ～ 13
PS4	13	15 ～ 27	65 ～ 127	2.05 ～ 13
M2	16	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	3.95 ～ 16
PS4	16	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	3.95 ～ 16
M2	20	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	5.95 ～ 20
PS4	20	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	5.95 ～ 20
M2	25	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	7.95 ～ 25
PS4	25	15 ～ 27	73 ～ 127	7.95 ～ 25
M2	32	15 ～ 27	92 ～ 127	9.95 ～ 32
PS4	32	15 ～ 27	92 ～ 127	9.95 ～ 32
M2	38	21 ～ 32	112 ～ 127	11.95 ～ 38
PS4	38	21 ～ 32	112 ～ 127	11.95 ～ 38

Product Guide

🏭Application Scenarios+

This round-tip ball-lock pilot punch is used in injection mold and die builds where accurate, repeatable locating is required during assembly and during high-cycle punch-and-die operations.

Automotive connector housings: Employ the light-duty locating function to align mold halves and insert components, helping maintain consistent cavity positioning while simplifying setup and re-qualification.
Consumer goods housings and fixtures: The stable round tip supports reliable ball-lock engagement under repeated contact, which is useful for molds that cycle frequently but do not require heavy-duty tip wear performance.
General mold bases and die components: Use the metric configuration for compatibility with standard machining and tooling stacks, especially when pilots must seat cleanly in mating ball-lock sockets.

The variant’s XNT DayTiN® coating is specifically suited for extending service life by improving surface wear resistance at the punch tip where metal-to-metal contact occurs.

🔧Material & Process Details+

These light-duty pilot punches are available in M2 and PS4 steel options, selected to balance wear resistance and toughness for locating and punch-related contact.

M2: Typically corresponds to high-speed steel performance, offering strong wear resistance for repeated engagement. Expect a hardness level in the HRC range commonly associated with M2 after standard hardening and tempering (exact HRC is not specified in the provided data).
PS4: A steel grade choice aimed at tool life in similar contact applications; the specific hardness/heat-treatment details are not provided, so final hardness should be confirmed with the manufacturing documentation.

Regardless of base steel, the key functional differentiator stated here is the XNT DayTiN® coating, which enhances wear resistance at the working interface. In general trade-offs: higher wear resistance coatings and harder tool steels can reduce toughness margin if aggressively loaded; selecting light duty geometry and correct sizing helps maintain durability.

📐Sizing & Selection Guide+

To select the correct pilot punch dimensions, match the shank diameter D, total length L, and locating point length L1 to the mating ball-lock socket and the mold base thickness stack-up.

Shank diameter (D): Choose from 6 ~ 38 mm to fit your drilled guide/bore and maintain stable alignment without excessive clearance.
Point length (L1): Select the appropriate range based on how deep the ball-lock contact needs to form (available groups: 12–15, 12–21, 15–27, or 21–32 mm).
Total length (L): Use the offered ranges to reach the required engagement depth through the tool stack (examples include 65–102, 65–112, 65–127, 73–127, 92–127, 112–127 mm).

Also verify the P dimension (1.55 ~ 11.95 mm) as it affects pilot interface geometry. The listed sizes are effectively configurable within the provided ranges; confirm tolerance/fit requirements with your mold drawing because no explicit tolerance values are given in the input data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which steel grade (M2 vs PS4) is more appropriate for ball-lock locating punches with XNT DayTiN® coating?+

Both options are offered for this light-duty metric pilot punch, with wear performance enhanced by the stated XNT DayTiN® coating. The provided data specifies materials as M2 and PS4, but does not give hardness or heat-treatment targets. If you need higher baseline wear performance, M2 is commonly selected in tool steels; for final selection, confirm the actual post-heat-treatment hardness and toughness specs from your build documentation.

How do I choose the correct point length (L1) to ensure proper ball-lock engagement depth?+

Select L1 from the available point-length groups: 12–15, 12–21, 15–27, or 21–32 mm. Use L1 to set the depth of the round tip’s functional contact with the mating ball-lock pocket. This helps ensure engagement is consistent without bottoming out on the opposite mold surface.

What shank diameter (D) range is available, and how does it affect fit in the mold plate bore?+

The shank diameter D is specified as 6 ~ 38 mm. Choose a diameter that matches your guide bore and supports stable alignment during mold assembly. Because no tolerance values are provided, you should verify clearance/press-fit or sliding-fit requirements against your mold design specification.

How should I pick total length (L) when the tool stack height changes across different mold designs?+

Total length L is available across multiple ranges, such as 65–102, 65–112, 65–127, 73–127, 92–127, and 112–127 mm. Select the smallest L that still achieves the required engagement depth for the ball-lock interface. For stack height variations, re-check both L and L1 so the tip depth remains correct.

What is the role of the P dimension (1.55–11.95 mm) in compatibility with ball-lock locating systems?+

This series specifies P as 1.55 ~ 11.95 mm, which indicates a geometry parameter tied to the interface profile. Confirm that your mating socket or recess geometry is compatible with the P dimension used in your pilot punch selection. Because no detailed tolerance guidance is included in the provided data, validate fit using your drawing stack-up and mating part profiles.