Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Dimpling of a workpiece by rebounding of a magnetic repulsion punch mechanism, when operated at high punching rates, is avoided by application of a damping pulse at a point at or subsequent to a mid-point of a return stroke of the punch from the workpiece and preferably within the last 10% of the return stroke. This damping pulse is preferably a fraction of the pulse width and of approximately the same amplitude as a driving pulse applying kinetic energy to the punch for causing punching of the workpiece. At high punching rates the kinetic energy of the return portion of a punching stroke is substantially determined by elastic rebounding of the punch from a guide bushing. The removal of kinetic energy during the return portion of the stroke allows the return of the punch to a position close to a rest position during a very short interval with small overshoot under control of mechanical damping.

Abstract: Dimpling of a workpiece by rebounding of a magnetic repulsion punch mechanism, when operated at high punching rates, is avoided by application of a damping pulse at a point at or subsequent to a mid-point of a return stroke of the punch from the workpiece and preferably within the last 10% of the return stroke. This damping pulse is preferably a fraction of the pulse width and of approximately the same amplitude as a driving pulse applying kinetic energy to the punch for causing punching of the workpiece. At high punching rates the kinetic energy of the return portion of a punching stroke is substantially determined by elastic rebounding of the punch from a guide bushing. The removal of kinetic energy during the return portion of the stroke allows the return of the punch to a position close to a rest position during a very short interval with small overshoot under control of mechanical damping.