Slug-free dies designed for thin sheet metal

Mate Precision Tooling's Slug Free Light™ dies are designed to eliminate slug pulling in thin sheet metal.

During each punching cycle, the die creates a series of very small protrusions around the edge of the slug. Each protrusion is made by a small, angled notch that is cut into the die opening. As the slug passes through the die, the position of the protrusion relative to the notch changes slightly. Pressure between the slug and the die land occurs, preventing it from pulling back through the top of the die and onto the workpiece. The slug then is safely cleared on the next stroke from the punching zone.

The dies are designed for punching thin sheet metal with the following maximum thicknesses and when the recommended die clearance is less than 0.008 in. (0.20 mm):

Stainless steel to 0.032 in. (0.80 mm)

Mild steel to 0.040 in. (1.00 mm)

Aluminum to 0.048 in. (1.20 mm)

The dies are available for all thick-turret tooling.