Button Dies
Button dies are the hardened female counterparts to punches — the slug passes through them each stroke. Correct clearance and land geometry control burr height and edge life.
What are button dies?
A button die (die button) is a hardened bushing pressed into the die plate. The punch enters it to shear the sheet; the cut slug falls through its relieved bore. Because they wear with every stroke, button dies are standard replaceable parts ordered by bore, body diameter and type.
Typical materials
Commonly SKD11 (D2 equivalent) and carbide for high-volume work. The cutting clearance between punch and die button is chosen from sheet material and thickness — typically a percentage of stock thickness per side.
Types of button dies
Plain (headless) button dies
Press-fit cylindrical body — the compact standard form.
Headed button dies
Flanged head takes the press-out load and fixes axial position.
Dowel-slot button dies
Slot in the body engages a dowel to lock orientation — essential for shaped (non-round) holes.
Tapered-relief types
Straight land with taper relief below for clean slug discharge.
How to select button dies
- Bore (hole) size and shape, with punch clearance for the sheet.
- Body diameter and length to suit the die plate pocket.
- Headed vs headless, and dowel-slot where orientation must be fixed.
- Material/coating matched to volume.
Not sure? Send what you have — a part number, drawing or photo — and our engineering team will confirm the selection.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a dowel-slot button die used for?
- The dowel slot locks the die button's rotation. It is required when the hole shape is not round (oblong, D-shaped, keyed), so the die stays aligned with the punch.
- How is punch-to-die clearance chosen?
- As a percentage of sheet thickness per side, depending on the material — softer materials use smaller clearance, harder or thicker sheet uses more. Correct clearance minimises burr and maximises edge life.
Related components
Punches
Punches do the cutting and forming in press tools. Edge life, shank accuracy and coating decide how many strokes a tool runs between regrinds.
Ejector Pins
Ejector pins push the finished part off the core when a plastic mould or die opens. They cycle millions of times against heat and friction, so material, hardness and fit decide tool life.
Locating Pins
Locating pins fix a workpiece in a repeatable position on a jig or fixture. The round-plus-diamond pair is the standard method of constraining a part without over-constraint.
Need button dies?
Tell us the specification, quantity and application — or just send the drawing.