Turret-punch multi-tools

TRUMPF's cited five-station holder lists maximum punches of 16 mm round and 11.30 mm square side. Its ten-station holder lists 10.50 mm round and 7.40 mm square side. A 10 mm square has a 14.14 mm circumscribed diameter. Its side falls within the five-station square limit but exceeds the ten-station one. Check punch and die envelopes, force and machine compatibility separately. TRUMPF, pp. 30 and 32.

Identity and purpose

Several selectable inserts share one holder. Wilson Tool lists products with 3, 8, 20 or 30 inserts. Wilson Tool multi-tools.

TRUMPF holders require their matching machine interface and control. TRUMPF catalog, printed pp. 30 and 32.

Mate Ultra IMT actuates one punch at a time and restrains inactive punches. Mate Ultra IMT.

Selection versus angular orientation

Selecting an insert answers “which punch?” Orienting the active cutting shape answers “at what angle?” Mate distinguishes conventional multi-tools with one angular setting from its fully indexable Ultra IMT, which supports different workpiece angles. Wilson likewise limits its 360° rotation statement to indexable or rotational versions. The word multi-tool alone does not establish freely programmable shape rotation. Mate, Wilson Tool.

These capabilities depend on the machine as well as the holder. Mate expressly requires compatible ram and programming software. TRUMPF's cited five- and ten-station catalog entries require the MultiTool machine option. A mechanically plausible fit does not establish selection, angular orientation, or coordinate compensation in the installed control. Mate, TRUMPF, pp. 30 and 32.

Capacity and punch envelopes

More inserts can mean smaller available punches. In TRUMPF's cited catalog, the five-station version lists a 16 mm maximum round punch and an 11.30 mm maximum square side; the ten-station version lists 10.50 mm and 7.40 mm respectively. TRUMPF, pp. 30 and 32.

For an original geometric comparison, a 10 mm square has a circumscribed diameter of √(10² + 10²) = 14.14 mm. Its side is below the cited five-station square limit but above the ten-station limit. Side length and enveloping diameter are different quantities; fitting this arithmetic does not establish material or load suitability.

Mate's thick-turret Ultra IMT examples have different component sizes and force limits. Mate Ultra IMT.

Mate also lists thickness up to 6 mm. Geometry and force limits still apply; these are holder ratings, not machine ratings.

Punch circles and off-center coordinates

PASS's punching MT5 uses a 40 mm punch-center circle and active-punch offset (0, 20 mm) at C=0°. Its punching MT10 uses a 52 mm circle and (0, 26 mm). PASS manual, printed pp. 6 and 18.

The radii are 40 / 2 = 20 mm and 52 / 2 = 26 mm. Mathematically, rotating (0, 20) counterclockwise by 90° gives (-20, 0). This original geometry example is not a machine command or control sign convention. Geometry: PASS.

Maintenance and operating bounds

PASS's MT5 section limits punch/die regrinding to 0.5/1 mm respectively, with die shims. It specifies daily cleaning checks and lubrication, addressing soft-sheet, zinc, and film contamination. These requirements are product-specific. PASS, printed p. 11.

The multi-tool assembly includes more than cutting inserts: the holder, selector, matching dies, strippers, angular references, and tool lengths participate in its operation. Insert replacement or sharpening can change the assembly's working geometry. Capacity count alone therefore does not establish maintained accuracy, safe stroke, material range, or reliable slug discharge.

Source dates and coverage

PASS's manual explicitly identifies May 2024, version 2.2, document Z95048WW1. The TRUMPF catalog carries identifier 1798794_EN_202204_S, retained without inferring an issue date. Mate's Ultra IMT page dates its machine-eligibility list October 2011; that historical list is not treated as a current compatibility guarantee. Mate and Wilson's cited product pages do not establish technical revision dates for all specifications. This article's reviewed date records research review.

This reference covers selected tooling examples and geometric relationships. It does not establish a customer's installed control options, usable pockets, rotational capability, available station sizes, or production rate. Manufacturer-specific mounting, ram, software, tool-length, load, and material limits remain consequential.

For broader tooling context, see Sheet-metal tooling.