Press tool design — in which type of die can blanking and piercing operations be carried out simultaneously in a single press stroke at a single station?

Introduction / Context:
Sheet-metal press operations rely on appropriate die selection to achieve productivity and tolerance goals. Blanking (removing the workpiece from sheet) and piercing (punching holes) are common cutting operations. The question focuses on which die type performs both simultaneously at one station in one stroke.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Operations considered: blanking and piercing (both cutting).
• Interest is in simultaneity at a single station.
• Die taxonomy: simple, progressive, compound, combination.

Concept / Approach:

A compound die performs two or more cutting operations (e.g., blanking and piercing) in one press stroke at one station, using multiple punches/dies arranged coaxially or in sequence within the same station. Progressive dies perform operations at successive stations as the strip indexes forward; combination dies mix one cutting with one forming operation in the same stroke; a simple die performs a single operation per stroke.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Press tool design texts explicitly define compound dies as multi-cutting-operation tools functioning at one station per stroke.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Simple die → single operation only; progressive die → multiple stations; combination die → cutting + forming (not two cutting ops simultaneously).

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing “progressive” (multi-station) with “compound” (single-station multi-cutting); assuming “combination” means any two operations regardless of type.

Final Answer:

compound die