Abstract: A punch retainer can utilize a spring passage to retain a locking ball and a spring. A retaining member can be disposed in the spring passage to hold the spring and ball therein and to impart a desired compressive force on the spring. The retaining member can be axially aligned with the centerline of the spring passage and can axially compress the spring. The retaining member can be adjusted to adjust the compression of the spring. A single dowel passage can be utilized to accurately align the retainer in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A ball-lock punch retainer insert comprises a tapered oblong or teardrop shape or an enlarged headed shape that completely encloses the punch hole or socket and the angle hole ball detent mechanism. The insert fits in a tapered oblong or teardrop hole or a counterbored hole formed in a block, the block in turn fastenable to a press platen. Tapered oblong or teardrop holes or counterbored holes can be easily formed in a hardened steel block as needed for immediate use. The ball-lock punch inserts can be inventoried for use as needed, thus, the combination provides for quick punch tooling and quick changes by forming new tapered oblong or teardrop holes or counterbored holes in the block.

Abstract: A stripper unit incorporates a precision threaded plug that preloads a mechanical die spring that, in turn, preloads the movable or traveling stripper adjacent the punch tip. The precision threaded plug simultaneously accurately locates the stripper unit on a commercially available ball-lock punch retainer. The stripper unit is entirely self-contained on the face of the ball-lock punch retainer, thus minimizing the space required on the press platen.