Ball Lock Pilot Punches Tapered Tip Heavy Duty Metric

Q: Which dimension controls alignment accuracy for these tapered ball lock pilot punches?

Alignment accuracy is primarily governed by the tip diameter P (available from 1.45 ~ 30 mm ) and the point length L1 (multiple options such as 19~62 , 19~92 , 25~102 , 30~102 mm ). These two dimensions define how the tapered nose engages the mating locating feature early in the stroke.

Q: How do I select the shank diameter D for my die locating system?

Choose D (shank dia.) within the provided range of 10 ~ 40 mm to match your guide/bushing bore size. Correct shank fit helps maintain straight pilot motion and reduces angular misalignment during high-cycle press operation.

Q: What material option should I consider for heavy-duty wear at the tapered tip?

The product offers M2 and PS4 . For applications emphasizing wear resistance at the contact region (tapered tip), M2 is commonly selected due to its high wear capability and typical use in hardened punch tooling. Use PS4 when you need an alternative balance of hardness/toughness for your production conditions.

Q: What total punch length L is available, and how does it affect press/tooling clearance?

Available L (length) options are 80 ~ 110 , 80 ~ 140 , and 80 ~ 150 mm . Select L to ensure sufficient protrusion for consistent pilot engagement while maintaining safe clearance to surrounding die components across the full press stroke.

Metric Ball Lock pilot punches - tapered tip, heavy duty (M2 steel options) provide consistent part locating for die assemblies. The tapered nose improves center guidance during press operation while supporting heavy-duty use.

Designed with a tapered tip for controlled pilot entry and reliable alignment
Use durable M2 steel options to resist wear and maintain dimensional stability
Configured for metric production layouts with stable assembly performance
Commonly used for die locating in progressive and transfer stamping tools

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Specifications

28 configurations available

Material	D (Shank dia.) (mm)	L1 (Point Length) (mm)	L (Length) (mm)	P (Tip Diameter) (mm)
M2	10	19 ～ 62	80 ～ 110	1.45 ～ 4.99
M2	10	19 ～ 62	80 ～ 110	5 ～ 10
PS4	10	19 ～ 62	80 ～ 110	1.45 ～ 4.99
PS4	10	19 ～ 62	80 ～ 110	5 ～ 10
M2	13	19 ～ 92	80 ～ 140	2.35 ～ 8.99
M2	13	19 ～ 92	80 ～ 140	9 ～ 13
PS4	13	19 ～ 92	80 ～ 140	2.35 ～ 8.99
PS4	13	19 ～ 92	80 ～ 140	9 ～ 13
M2	16	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	3.95 ～ 11.99
M2	16	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	12 ～ 16
PS4	16	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	3.95 ～ 11.99
PS4	16	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	12 ～ 16
M2	20	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	5.95 ～ 14.99
M2	20	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	15 ～ 20
PS4	20	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	5.95 ～ 14.99
PS4	20	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	15 ～ 20
M2	25	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	7.95 ～ 18.99
M2	25	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	19 ～ 25
PS4	25	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	7.95 ～ 18.99
PS4	25	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	19 ～ 25
M2	32	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	9.95 ～ 23.99
M2	32	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	24 ～ 32
PS4	32	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	9.95 ～ 23.99
PS4	32	25 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	24 ～ 32
M2	40	30 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	11.95 ～ 29.99
M2	40	30 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	30 ～ 40
PS4	40	30 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	11.95 ～ 29.99
PS4	40	30 ～ 102	80 ～ 150	30 ～ 40

Product Guide

🏭Application Scenarios+

These metric ball lock pilot punches with a tapered tip are used in die locating to establish repeatable center alignment between press tooling components. The tapered nose helps guide the punch into a mating locating hole during stroke start-up, reducing the risk of initial mis-registration and improving alignment stability over long runs.

In progressive and transfer stamping tools, they support accurate feed and die shut-height repeatability by acting as a hardened, wear-resistant pilot for each station. The heavy-duty construction and available M2 steel option make them suitable where sliding contact and high cycle wear are expected.

They are also commonly specified for automotive brackets and connector housings where multi-cavity alignment and consistent part positioning are critical to maintain tolerances across several forming stages. In multi-die assembly lines, the tapered tip improves center guidance when dies are reinstalled, supporting quick, accurate setup while resisting dimensional drift.

🔧Material & Process Details+

This product is offered in M2 and PS4 material options (as specified). M2 is a high-speed steel commonly selected for good wear resistance and balanced toughness, typically used in punch applications where the tip experiences frequent contact and load cycles.

Where M2 steel is used, parts are normally supplied in a heat-treated condition suitable for cutting/punching service. Expect high hardness (often in the HRC range for M2), providing improved abrasion resistance at the tapered tip while trading off some toughness compared with lower-alloy steels.

PS4 provides an alternative steel grade for stable dimensional performance and wear behavior in pilot applications. If your tooling prioritizes maximum edge wear resistance, M2 is commonly preferred; if your design targets a different balance of hardness and toughness for long production runs, the PS4 option can be considered.

Key performance focus: tip wear resistance vs. toughness
Heat treatment state: supplied as hardened pilot punch suitable for press service

📐Sizing & Selection Guide+

Select dimensions by matching the pilot geometry to the mating die locating features, ensuring controlled engagement throughout the stroke. The shank diameter D must fall within 10 ~ 40 mm to fit the intended guide/bushing and maintain straight alignment.

Choose the tip diameter P from 1.45 ~ 30 mm to correspond to the locating hole/seat in the die block. The point length L1 is available across multiple ranges: 19~62, 19~92, 25~102, and 30~102 mm, which determines how early the tapered nose guides alignment.

Confirm total length L requirements using the available options: 80~110, 80~140, and 80~150 mm for sufficient protrusion and clearance. Verify fit and spacing with your press/tooling tolerance stack: the pilot should slide smoothly during entry but avoid excessive clearance that can increase alignment error.

Fixed dimensions: the selected D, L1, L, and P ranges are determined by the configured part
Engineering check: ensure mating hole tolerance and bushing fit maintain repeatable centering

Frequently Asked Questions

Which dimension controls alignment accuracy for these tapered ball lock pilot punches?+

Alignment accuracy is primarily governed by the tip diameter P (available from 1.45 ~ 30 mm) and the point length L1 (multiple options such as 19~62, 19~92, 25~102, 30~102 mm). These two dimensions define how the tapered nose engages the mating locating feature early in the stroke.

How do I select the shank diameter D for my die locating system?+

Choose D (shank dia.) within the provided range of 10 ~ 40 mm to match your guide/bushing bore size. Correct shank fit helps maintain straight pilot motion and reduces angular misalignment during high-cycle press operation.

What material option should I consider for heavy-duty wear at the tapered tip?+

The product offers M2 and PS4. For applications emphasizing wear resistance at the contact region (tapered tip), M2 is commonly selected due to its high wear capability and typical use in hardened punch tooling. Use PS4 when you need an alternative balance of hardness/toughness for your production conditions.

What total punch length L is available, and how does it affect press/tooling clearance?+

Available L (length) options are 80 ~ 110, 80 ~ 140, and 80 ~ 150 mm. Select L to ensure sufficient protrusion for consistent pilot engagement while maintaining safe clearance to surrounding die components across the full press stroke.

How does point length L1 influence the effectiveness of tapered-tip guidance?+

A longer L1 increases the distance over which the tapered tip can guide center entry, which can improve stability during setup and repeated press cycling. The available L1 ranges (19~62, 19~92, 25~102, and 30~102 mm) allow you to tune engagement depth to your die locating geometry.