Abstract: A stamping tool for use in an auto-indexable tool station having a number of character inserts that can be rotatably moved below a striker area so that a thin metal plate or sheet of metal may be marked. The stamping tool allows for automatic adjustment of tool length for any variation in material thickness. A pneumatic cylinder actuates a mechanism that engages the key way in the head nut. The tool length is changed by the rotary motion of the auto-indexable tool station. The character housing is rotated by the indexable tool station through the punch key which moves the selected character insert to the striker area within the tool. The striker area causes the character insert which is spring biased to protrude lower than the character inserts that are not in the striker area. When the stamping tool is struck by the ram, only the character insert in the striker area will contact the material to be marked.

Abstract: An indexable multi-tool for punch presses wherein a plurality of individual punches are held at a singly punching station in a turret-type punch press such that any one of the plurality of punches can be selected upon a rotation of a punch carrier relative to the turret. A striker is carried in the indexable station which does not rotate relative to the turret and which contains an axially extending portion under which the selected punch is positioned in order to be used for punching. Stripper buttons are held on the indexable station by a rotating ring for easy removal and die buttons are held in a die carrier to rotate synchronously with the indexable station.

Abstract: A punch assembly which may be provided at a punching station in a turret punch press. The punch assembly includes a striker body having a solid portion, and a punch carrier which carries a plurality of individual punches. A selectively actuable stop holds the striker body stationary, allowing the punch holder to be rotated so that a predetermined one of the plurality of punches will underlie the solid portion of the striker body. Afterwards, the entire punch assembly may be rotated to a variety of angular orientations. At any of these orientations, the ram may be actuated to cause the punch to extend downwardly below the punch assembly and through a sheet of material. The rotation of the punch assembly to different orientations allows a single punch to be used to punch holes of the shape but with differing angular orientations. The die holder receives a plurality of corresponding dies having openings therein corresponding to the punches.