Punching: Forcing a hardened punch forced through a given material into a hardened and like shaped hole called a “die”. Punched holes are typically round but can be oblong, squared or custom shaped dependent on the shape of the punch and die. The punched hole will have the same size and shape of the punch.

Punch: Typically mounted in the Ram of the Ironworker a punch is a hardened tool steel shape that can withstand the tons of force required to force it through solid plate steel, stainless steel or aluminum.

Die: The Die is the hardened tool steel opposite of the punch. The die is typically made of the same or like material as the punch. The die must have clearance and thus be bigger than the punch being inserted into it as the closer to the size of the punch the greater the tonnage required to push the punch through the material.