Abstract: Embodiments of an punch machine and a quick-change die assembly are shown and described. The die assembly may be quickly installed and removed from the punch machine, without bolting or unbolting of either machine housing or the die assembly itself. The die assembly is slid into the machine through a hole in the machine housing and into a position which mates part of the die assembly with the push-bar. A clamp, with a handle outside the machine, is then pivoted against the die assembly. The push-bar is adapted to be self-supporting without being bolted to the die assembly, keeping the push-bar in place without manual adjustment and alignment. The die assembly preferably includes a die, pin retainer, and punch pins, and does not require additional structure to secure the pins to the retainer or to connect the die and retainer, but may include a connection system and a pin strap as options.

Abstract: Embodiments of a coil insertion guide, for use with a coil inserter machine, are shown and described. Each embodiment has a plate member with a guide surface for contacting the outer surface of a coil to urge or guide the coil end into the holes of paper or other material being spiral-bound. The guide surface acts as a barrier or limiting wall to hold the coil in an even and consistent path and may also slightly deflect the coil end as it rotates, so that the coil end consistently enters the holes punched in a stack of papers without hanging-up and sticking on the paper around the holes. The preferred embodiment includes a transparent plate, which is pivotally connected to a front table on the machine, and which swings over the paper edge or spine, and over the coil, in order to rest at an angle on the coil. Resting the plate on the coil and designing the plate to have an appropriate weight results in the coil end rotating in a proper path to spiral smoothly through the holes.