Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a punching assembly is provided. The punch assembly preferably includes a casing or sleeve in which a punch is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement. In accordance with one feature of the invention, a stripper plate is provided adjacent the operating end of the punch. The stripper plate includes a central opening for the punch that surrounds and guides its cutting end. A retaining means is preferably provided to cover a portion of the stripper plate at times to keep the stripper within the assembly until it is to be released.

Abstract: A punch assembly is described for a punch press having a quick tool change capability. The punch assembly comprises a punch sleeve having a punch slidably mounted therein. A tang extends from the sleeve, and a bolt is connected between the tang and the punch. An ejection spring member is mounted between the tang and the bolt for yieldably biasing the bolt in the direction of the punch. An elastic retraction member is mounted in the sleeve for biasing the punch and tang toward one end of the sleeve. Means is provided for retaining the ejection spring and bolt within the punch assembly during partial disassembly thereof so that only the punch is removed during said partial disassembly while the ejection spring and bolt remain in place when the punch is withdrawn after the bolt is unscrewed from the punch. A screw-threaded punch length adjustment platen is threadedly connected between the tang and the punch for adjusting the distance that the punch extends from the punch assembly.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a punch press is described which includes an external housing or sleeve having a punch slidably mounted therein with a spring such as a disc spring for yieldably biasing the punch toward one end of the sleeve and a removable stripper plate mounted on the sleeve in a position around the operating end of the punch. The punch is preferably keyed to the sleeve in more than one location and the stripper plate guides the punch by preventing rotation as well as lateral deflection. A retaining member such as a ring surrounds the stripper plate and can be manipulated manually, e.g. by rotating it, to enable the punch and stripper plate to be ejected by means of a spring.