Patent ID: 7481093

Claim:
A punch assembly comprising: a die constructed and arranged to support material to be punched, a magnetostrictive device including a coil, a magnetostrictive member, and a punch operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member, the magnetostrictive member being constructed and arranged to lengthen when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil, the punch including first and second portions, each portion having an axis, the axes being offset from each other, and a mechanical amplifier in the form of a pivoting mechanical lever disposed between the first and second portions of the punch and constructed and arranged to increase travel of the second portion of the punch, whereby, when the coil is energized and the magnetostrictive member lengthens, the first portion of the punch engages the lever causing the lever to pivot and engage the second portion of the punch with the second portion of the punch moving through the material and into the die, thereby creating a hole in the material.