M2 Steel Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Round Tip

Ball-lock pilot punches are used to register upper and lower tooling so die components align during each stroke. This round-tip M2 variant is suited for heavy-duty inch-oriented progressive and stamping lines where repeatable starting contact matters.

• Progressive die pilot positioning: The ball-lock alignment mechanism helps maintain consistent center-to-center registration as feeds and multiple forming stations cycle. The round tip supports controlled entry to reduce misalignment during punch engagement.
• Blanking and trimming dies: When thin sections require stable locating at the first contact, the round tip geometry improves guidance and locating accuracy at the start of the cut.
• Tooling for standardized press/die interfaces: Machined dimensions support repeatable fit across common inch press and die setups, helping reduce setup variability between jobs.

This series is manufactured in M2 steel (with optional PS4 availability per the product data). M2 is commonly selected for tooling that needs high wear resistance under repeated impact and sliding during pilot engagement.

• M2 steel (HSS): Typically supplied and used in a hardened condition with high abrasion/wear capability. Expect a trade-off where very high hardness can reduce toughness versus lower-alloy tool steels—important to consider if pilots see bending loads.
• PS4 (alternative): Offered when a different balance of wear performance and toughness is preferred for a specific press cycle or part material.

Because the provided data does not specify the exact hardness (HRC) or heat-treatment state, final hardness/treatment should be confirmed against the supplier’s material cert for your selected material option.

Select the correct pilot punch dimensions by matching the shank and locking geometry to your mating guide/bushing and die wear plate interface. This product family uses an inch shank diameter D range of 37–125 (coded inch/value set per the catalog), and a point length (L) with multiple coded-length options.

• Choose D first: Ensure the selected shank diameter matches the bore/guide diameter of your press/die interface to maintain concentricity during cycling.
• Select point length (L) and B/C options: Available coded length ranges include 250–600, 250–700, 275–700, and 300–700 (with additional listings for D having 275–700 and 300–700).
• Verify P dimension: The P dimension is specified as 0.061–0.999 in; match this to the required engagement/protrusion so the pilot contacts reliably without bottoming.

When integrating into a ball-lock system, confirm clearance/fit requirements with your guide components; the provided ranges indicate size availability, while final interchangeability depends on your tooling tolerances.