Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Round Tip, Heavy Duty, Inch, XCN C

Ball-lock pilot punches are used to establish repeatable part and mold alignment during injection molding and die/press operations. The round tip supports controlled hole location so cores, slides, or inserts can re-index accurately cycle after cycle.

• Automotive connector and terminal molds: Use the heavy-duty inch series with XCN coating to maintain pilot stability under higher wear pressure, helping protect locating features where runout directly affects gating and part fit.
• Packaging and household appliance tooling: When frequent press use demands consistent alignment over long runs, the hardened steel options (M2 or PS4) help preserve cutting edge integrity for reliable pilot performance.
• Electronics enclosure housings: For small-to-medium locating pins where precise positioning is critical, the ball-lock geometry and inch point-length coding simplify matching pilot length to the required shut height.

The availability of M2 steel or PS4, paired with XCN coating, makes this variant suited for applications balancing wear resistance with dimensional stability.

This variant is offered in M2 or PS4, with an XCN coating to improve surface wear performance at the pilot interface. M2 is a high-speed steel grade commonly selected for abrasion-resistant cutting edges; PS4 is typically chosen when improved wear longevity and stable performance under repeated contact are priorities.

• Wear resistance vs. toughness: M2 generally provides strong wear resistance, while PS4 is often selected for durable service life in repetitive pilot alignment applications. Exact trade-offs depend on the required hardness and load conditions.
• Coating role: XCN helps reduce wear and supports stable runout by protecting the contact area during repeated indexing.
• Heat treatment state: The punches are supplied in a hardened steel condition suitable for pilot hole locating and heavy-duty die work; final hardness and internal microstructure are tuned to maintain cutting-edge integrity.

Choose M2 for robust edge stability in demanding cycle use, or PS4 for extended wear performance where pilot surfaces experience frequent contact.

Use the provided inch-coded dimensions to match the pilot length to your mold cavity/core locating depth. The specification lists Shank diameter D from 37 to 125 (in), and multiple point-length coding options tied to the Standard point length & L / B & L / C & L configurations.

• Select D (shank dia.) to fit the guide bushing/bore in your plate stack. Ensure the chosen D range aligns with the mold’s drilled/reamed pilot receptacle size.
• Choose point length range based on required engagement: available coded lengths include 250–600, 250–700, 275–700, and 300–700 (also shown across B/C/D point-length listings). Use the matching code set for the geometry you’re designing.
• Verify P dimension (given as 0.061–0.999 in) to ensure the locating profile and functional clearance meet your assembly requirements.

Because mold clearances and wear allowances affect engagement depth, confirm the required fit (tight locating vs. controlled clearance) and validate that your assembly stop heights support full ball-lock engagement within the selected length range.