Ball-Lock Pilot Punches

In progressive dies, the strip advances through multiple stations. Pilot punches enter pre-pierced holes in the strip before any working punches engage, ensuring the strip is precisely positioned for each subsequent operation:

• Step 1: The strip advances to the next station position via the automatic feeder
• Step 2: As the upper die descends, pilot punches enter the pilot holes first (they are longer than working punches)
• Step 3: The pilot punch tips center the strip by pushing it into exact alignment
• Step 4: Working punches then engage the material at the correct position

Without pilots, cumulative feed error would cause progressive misalignment — each station's features would be slightly offset from the previous, resulting in scrap.