M2 Steel Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Round Tip, Metric

These metric ball lock pilot punches are used in injection mold and progressive die tooling where precise, repeatable alignment during part transfer is critical. The round-tip pilot geometry helps stabilize positioning during tool engagement, making them well-suited for light-duty pilot forming and locating operations.

• Automotive connector and sensor molds: Ideal for locating thin-walled insert features during assembly/transfer. The M2 steel cutting edge supports durable pilot action, while the XCD coating helps reduce friction to maintain consistency over repeated cycles.
• Consumer electronics housings: Useful for pilot forming steps that require reliable shut height alignment. The ball-lock configuration promotes stable engagement, reducing pilot wear under normal die loads.
• General-purpose stamping and forming dies: Suitable for light-duty pilot forming in machined dies where the metric shank diameter range (D = 6–38 mm) enables compatibility with existing bushings and guide systems.

Compared with uncoated pilots, the XCD coating is particularly suited when you need improved wear resistance and longer service intervals under moderate sliding contact.

The primary material is M2 tool steel (also listed as an available option: PS4). M2 is commonly selected for pilot and forming punches because it balances high hardness potential with adequate toughness for cutting and positioning duties in mold and die service.

• Hardness / wear vs. toughness: In typical tool steel practice for M2, final hardness is often achieved by quench-and-temper to provide good edge wear resistance, with toughness governed by temper level. Higher hardness improves wear resistance but can reduce resistance to chipping under shock loading.
• Coating effect: The variant includes XCD coating, which reduces friction at the sliding/engagement interface and helps extend working life for light-duty pilot forming.
• Heat treatment state: The product description specifies an M2 grade; customers should request the exact heat-treatment recipe used for the supplied hardness if an HRC target is required. Compare PS4 only if your process prefers its specific performance profile versus M2 under your expected load and wear rate.

Select the pilot punch dimensions by matching the shank and working length to the mating guide components and the required pilot engagement in the cavity/core locating zone.

• Shank diameter (D): Choose D in the range 6–38 mm to fit the corresponding ball-lock guide/bushing system and maintain proper alignment during tool closure.
• Point length (L1): Use one of the listed L1 options (12–15, 12–21, 15–27, 21–32 mm) to control how deeply the round tip enters for pilot forming accuracy.
• Total length (L): Select from the offered L ranges (65–102, 65–112, 65–127, 73–127, 92–127, 112–127 mm) based on die stack height and required protrusion.
• P dimension: Ensure the P = 1.55–11.95 mm dimension matches the locking/engagement geometry of your ball-lock system.

Where tolerances between pilot and guide affect stability, confirm fit requirements for the guide housing and any reamer/spot-facing process to avoid excessive clearance or binding, especially with coated tips.