A die includes a blade having an edge defining a shape for patterning a sheet of material. The die also includes a cushion surrounding the blade, where the blade edge is positioned within the cushion. The die also includes a support for holding the cutting blade in position and supporting the cushion. The die is configured to be at least partially surrounded by another die.

A punch die is provided and includes a punch body extending along an axial direction of the punch die and including a punch edge portion, a key, and a punch driver. The punch die also includes a punch guide configured to removably receive the punch body therein, the punch guide including an inner hollow that receives the punch body and a keyway that receives and guides the key. The punch die further includes a retainer collar detachably coupled to the punch guide and configured to permit the punch driver to pass therethrough and be movable along the axial direction. The punch guide includes a peripheral slot that intersects the keyway of the punch guide and the retainer collar includes a cylindrical projection and an engaging projection that is rotatable to engage the peripheral slot and to be releasably aligned with the keyway.

The invention relates to steel-rule cutting dies having a die block with at least one kerf configured to receive a corresponding steel-rule intended to be partially inserted into the kerf. The die block also has at least one element having magnetic properties, such as for instance a magnet, located or embedded in proximity to each kerf for providing a magnetic field that retains the steel-rule when the steel-rule is received into the corresponding kerf. The presence of the magnetic element(s) in proximity to the kerf(s) allows maintaining the corresponding rule(s) in position within its kerf even if the kerf is cut loosely. The corresponding rule may be quickly and easily inserted and accurately maintained even if the die block expand or retract under atmospheric variations. Among other advantages, the invention allows better stability of the cutting-die, faster leveling on press, and increased the number of re-knifing and longer run-time.

An assembly and method of forming a press cutting die that includes a cutting blade that is supported by a blade support assembly or blade support. The blade support includes a first base portion and a second base portion that are each contoured to cooperate with one another to capture a portion of the cutting blade along an interface between the first and second base portions. Preferably, one or more keys extend between the first and second base portions and traverse the geometric plane associated with the cutting blade. Such a press cutting die is particularly applicable for cutting biologically compatible materials having a desired shape from a bulk source of the biologically compatible material.

A punch assembly for a turret-type punch press includes an outer guide sleeve having an inner bore in which a punch shank fits for reciprocating but not rotating movement. The punch shank has a concentric, downward opening formed in a lower end in which is received a head portion of an insert that has a punch point formed on it. Built into the shank is a latching mechanism for releasably wedging and thereby securing the insert to the lower end of the shank.

A punch die is provided and includes a punch body extending along an axial direction of the punch die and including a punch edge portion, a key, and a punch driver. The punch die also includes a punch guide configured to removably receive the punch body therein, the punch guide including an inner hollow that receives the punch body and a keyway that receives and guides the key. The punch die further includes a retainer collar detachably coupled to the punch guide and configured to permit the punch driver to pass therethrough and be movable along the axial direction. The punch guide includes a peripheral slot that intersects the keyway of the punch guide and the retainer collar includes a cylindrical projection and an engaging projection that is rotatable to engage the peripheral slot and to be releasably aligned with the keyway.

A punch head assembly that includes a punch head including a main body having opposite first and second ends, a longitudinal inner bore, a first passageway extending substantially radially from the inner bore, and a second passageway substantially traversing the first passageway. A ball bearing is received in the first passageway. A pin member is received in the second passageway. The pin member is rotationally movable between first and second positions. A driver is coupled to the punch head and includes a stem extending into the inner bore. The stem has an outer ball engagement surface. The punch head is axially movable with respect to the stem. Axial movement of the pin member in the second passageway moves the ball bearing into and out of engagement with the outer ball engagement surface for adjusting an axial position of the punch head with respect to the driver.

A punch die is provided. The punch die includes a punch body, a punch guide configured to removably receive the punch body therein, a retainer collar detachably coupled to the punch guide, a punch head mated to the punch body to regulate a position of the punch body, and a spring interposed between the punch head and the retainer collar. The punch guide includes a peripheral slot defined on the internal periphery of the punch guide such that the peripheral slot intersects a keyway of the punch guide. The retainer collar includes a cylindrical projection that extends into the inner periphery of the punch guide and an engaging projection defined on an outer periphery of the cylindrical projection. The engaging projection is rotatable to engage the peripheral slot and to be releasably aligned with the keyway.

The invention relates to steel-rule cutting dies having a die block with at least one kerf configured to receive a corresponding steel-rule intended to be partially inserted into the kerf. The die block also has at least one element having magnetic properties, such as for instance a magnet, located or embedded in proximity to each kerf for providing a magnetic field that retains the steel-rule when the steel-rule is received into the corresponding kerf. The presence of the magnetic element(s) in proximity to the kerf(s) allows maintaining the corresponding rule(s) in position within its kerf even if the kerf is cut loosely. The corresponding rule may be quickly and easily inserted and accurately maintained even if the die block expand or retract under atmospheric variations. Among other advantages, the invention allows better stability of the cutting-die, faster leveling on press, and increased the number of re-knifing and longer run-time.

A retain-and-release member, which is coupled to a punch holder of a punch assembly, engages a punch tip against an end of the holder, such that a working portion of the tip extends from the end. A punch guide sidewall of the assembly includes an aperture aligned with an actuation interface of the retain-and-release member, when the punch holder and the engaged punch tip are slidably engaged within a guide bore formed by the punch guide sidewall. The aperture provides access for applying a force, to the actuation interface, in order to disengage the retain-and-release member from the punch tip, while the punch holder remains within the guide bore of the assembly. Following the removal, the same punch tip, or another, may be inserted into the guide bore and into engagement with the retain-and-release member.