Center Dowel Regular Punches - Metric, XCN Coating

Center dowel regular punches with a metric XCN coating are used in progressive and compound punching dies to establish repeatable center location between tool components. They are especially useful where consistent hole position directly affects downstream forming, trimming, or assembly.

• Automotive and appliance sheet-metal punching: Use these punches to stabilize press alignment and maintain part-to-part geometry across high-volume runs, benefiting from the regular center dowel layout and the XCN surface to manage friction and wear at the locating interface.
• Electronics and small bracket dies: The defined metric shank diameters support precise die-set mating, helping reduce locating drift when punching small features where cumulative tolerance stack-up is critical.
• Toolroom-built tooling for job shops: The variety of tip shapes (H, J, K, L, N, O, R, V, X, Y, Z) allows engineers to match the punch end geometry to the die wear strategy and contact conditions.

The provided specification set does not include a specific steel grade or heat treatment condition, so material selection should be confirmed with the toolmaker’s die steel standard for punching applications. In practice, center locating punches are commonly made from hardened tool steels to balance wear resistance at the locating contact with toughness against edge chipping from press impact.

• XCN coating: The XCN coating is used to improve the locating interface by reducing friction and supporting wear resistance during repeated alignment cycles.
• Heat treatment approach (verification recommended): Select a quenched & tempered or nitrided condition if your application emphasizes sliding wear and dimensional stability under load.
• Trade-off guidance: Higher surface hardness typically increases wear resistance but can reduce shock toughness; tune hardness to match press tonnage and strip thickness.

Choose dimensions to match your die set’s locating requirements so the punch centers the operation reliably through the full stroke. This series uses metric shank diameter (D) options of 10, 13, 16, 20, 25, and 32 mm, and a fixed overall length (L) range of 71 to 150 mm.

• Shank diameter (D): Select D to fit the corresponding dowel-hole/bushing bore used in your punch guide or die set.
• Point length (L1): Use 19–25 mm or 25–30 mm based on the required engagement depth for stable center location without bottoming.
• Tip shape and end geometry: Pick from H, J, K, L, N, O, R, V, X, Y, Z to suit the contact profile and wear behavior in your tooling.
• Other critical geometry: Match P (4–16 mm), W (4–10 mm), and R (0.2–4.975, 0.2–6.475, 0.2–7.975, 0.2–9.975, 0.2–12.475, 0.2–15.975) to the mating feature radii and clearance design.

Confirm tolerances at the interface with your press-fit or clearance specification to prevent locating drift or binding during repeated cycles.