Ball Lock Pilot Punches - Tapered Tip, Light Duty, Inch

Used in injection mold tooling as a pilot punch for die-set and cavity alignment, this light-duty ball-lock locator helps establish consistent part positioning with reduced initial start-up force.

• Automotive electrical connector molds: In progressive/transfer tooling, the tapered nose eases guided entry into mating ball-lock bushings, improving repeatability during high-cycle shutoff while keeping locating forces manageable for lighter die sections.
• Consumer appliance housings and brackets: For multi-cavity inserts where repeatable shut height and registration matter, the inch sizing body supports stable setup in pilot stations, reducing drift between rework or die changeovers.
• Medical device housings (light-duty alignment features): When precision alignment is required but loads are moderate, the tapered tip geometry supports controlled contact and helps maintain locate accuracy across press cycles.

Its M2 or PS4 options are suited to wear-prone pilot interfaces, supporting reliable locating in everyday die production.

This ball lock pilot punch is offered in M2 or PS4 steel, selected for wear resistance at the locating interface. M2 is a high-speed steel commonly used where tool life matters; it balances hardness and abrasion resistance with toughness suitable for repetitive press impacts.

• M2: Typically provided in a hardened condition; expect higher wear resistance with a trade-off toward reduced toughness compared with lower alloy steels.
• PS4: Also selected for hardened wear surfaces in tooling applications; it can offer strong performance in wear-dominant pilot contacts depending on heat treatment.

Because the provided data does not include exact HRC targets or the stated heat-treatment route (e.g., quench & temper, nitriding), hardness and thermal state should be confirmed for the specific part lot before critical life predictions.

Select the punch based on the shank diameter D and the coded point length range that matches the pilot engagement depth in your mold. Available shank diameters are 0.3750" (37), 0.5000" (50), 0.6250" (62), 0.7500" (75), 0.8750" (87), and 1.0000" (100).

• Point length / L coding: Standard point length & L are available in 250–600 or 250–700 (coded inch), depending on the selected variant.
• Point length options (B & L coding): B & L are offered as 250–600 / 250–700, and also 275–700 for the C option; one fixed variant lists B & L as 275–700.

Verify fit at the pilot interface using the P dimension range of 0.083 ~ 0.749 in, since engagement depth and clearance determine how firmly the ball-lock locates during cycling. Choose the coded length so the tapered tip completes guided entry without bottoming in the mating bushing.