Abstract: An automatic optical center punch adapted to perform with high accuracy and ease of use is disclosed. The punch includes a spring-loaded hammer and a rotational latch mechanism. The rotational latch mechanism restrains the movement of the hammer to allow the spring to be compressed when pressure is initially applied to the punch by its operator. When the spring is fully compressed, the latch mechanism engages a cam surface, which causes the latch to rotate to release the hammer. The spring-loaded hammer makes contact with a punch head assembly, which causes perforation of the work surface to take place. Once the hammer has been extended by the spring, the latch engages a second cam surface, which causes the latch to rotate in the opposite direction to restrain the hammer in preparation for the next compression of the spring.