Patent ID: 6880441

Claim:
A precision tooling apparatus for punching holes in a substrate comprising: a punch fixed on a first punch assembly movable relative to a second punch assembly, said first punch assembly including a punch holder insert, a punch holder mask subplate on a first side of said punch holder insert, a punch holder mask on a side of said punch holder mask subplate opposite the punch holder insert, said punch being fixed to said punch holder insert and extending through said punch holder insert, said punch holder mask subplate and said punch holder mask, said first punch assembly further including a backup plate on a second side of said punch holder insert opposite the punch holder mask, and a punch holder spacer plate between the backup plate and the punch holder insert; said second punch assembly positioned between said first punch assembly and a die assembly and including: a first die plate having a die opening therein corresponding to said punch for guiding said punch during relative movement therebetween, and a first support plate adjacent to said first die plate and secured thereto, said first support plate having an opening corresponding to said first die plate opening and larger than said first die plate opening; and said die assembly including: second die plate for receiving said substrate, such that said substrate is located between said first and second die plates, said second die plate having a die opening therein corresponding to said punch for cooperating with said punch for punching a hole in said substrate, and a second support plate adjacent to said second die plate and secured thereto, said second support plate having an opening corresponding to said second die plate opening and larger than said second die plate opening; said punch and first punch assembly being movable with respect to said second punch assembly and said die assembly.