A punch tool assembly includes an adjustment subassembly coupled to a canister sidewall of the assembly. The adjustment subassembly includes a punch head, which engages a punch holder, or body, of the punch tool, at a threaded interface, so that rotation of the punch head moves the punch body/holder along a central longitudinal axis of the punch tool assembly. The adjustment subassembly further includes a locking member, which is biased with respect to the punch head, in a first position, where the locking member is engaged with a locking feature of an engagement sidewall of the subassembly, to lock the punch head and prevent rotation thereof. The locking member may be released, to unlock the punch head, by applying a force to an externally accessible actuation interface of a release member of the subassembly, for example, to rotate the actuation interface about the central longitudinal axis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A clamping assembly includes a first jaw having a plurality of alternating grooves and lands formed thereon, a second jaw having a plurality of alternating grooves and lands formed thereon, and a spring provided between the first and second jaws. The jaws are pivotable relative to each other. The jaws are attached to a draw stud. The draw stud is formed from an elongated cylinder which has a conventional thread form formed on one end thereof and a plurality of alternating grooves and lands formed on the other end thereof. The alternating grooves and lands formed on the jaws mesh with the alternating grooves and lands formed on the draw stud to mate the jaws with the draw stud.

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 expands or retracts under atmospheric variations. Among other advantages, the invention allows better stability of the cutting-die, faster leveling on press, and increases the number of re-knifing and longer run-time.