A die is configured for use with a punch capable of piercing and cutting a workpiece. The die includes a base wall having a perimeter, an outer surface and an inner surface, a depending wall extending from the perimeter, a passageway extending through the base wall, and a central axis extending through the passageway. The outer surface of the base wall is perpendicular to the central axis. The inner surface of the base wall has a first portion which is angled relative to the central axis at a first angle which is greater than 90 degrees, and a second portion which is angled relative to the central axis at a second angle which is greater than 90 degrees. The first and second angles are different. The first portion extends from the depending wall to the second portion. The second portion extends from the first portion to the passageway. The second portion engages the punch when the punch is fully inserted into the die.

In some aspects of the invention, tool components for processing of plate-like workpieces, the tool component include an end face adjoined by a tool region provided for regrinding, the tool region being configured to undergo regrinding as a result of wear; and at least one identification mark located on the tool component to indicate the amount of shortening of the tool region as a result of regrinding.

A method for milling a cutout using a milling cutter in a workpiece is provided. A longitudinal axis of the milling cutter is positioned in a first orientation relative to the workpiece to contact a first side of the workpiece. An enveloping cylindrical surface of the milling cutter is then used to cut a cutout which has a plurality of peripheral edges and rounded corners. The milling cutter is then placed in a second orientation which is angled relative to the first orientation. Thereafter, the enveloping cylindrical surface and an enveloping axial surface of the milling cutter are used to further cut the rounded corners of the cutout to form sharp corners.