PUNCHING STATION, PUNCH PIN, PUNCH PLATE, DIE SET, ANGLED ALIGNER, A METHOD OF MAKING PUNCH PINS AND A METHOD OF PUNCHING IN LINE WITH A PROCESSING MACHINE

摘要

A punching station (22) that utilizes low cost, interchangeable, linearly operating die sets (60), and may be disposed in line with a printer (20) to punch individual sheets as they proceed through the printer. Sheets existing a printer or other machine are rapidly accelerated along a circuitous path (74) in the punching station (22), and then into position between the die plates of a linearly actuated die. The sheet is stopped and punched, and then rapidly accelerated out of the punch to exit the punching station (22). Each sheet is accelerated to a speed that is typically greater than the speed of the sheet as it exits the printer (20). Die sets (60) having different pin sizes and configurations are interchangeable within the punching station (22) in order to permit rapid die changes, and the die pins (138) are preferably made of powdered metal to yield low cost die sets.