Anoka, Minnesota: Mate Precision Tooling's Marathon® tool system features fully guided design, utilizing high-speed steel punches and spring-loaded steel strippers for extended operation and precision high speed punching.

Designed for the high productivity requirements of Murata Wiedemann punch presses, Mate Marathon tooling is ideal for cluster hitting, perforating small diameters, notching angle cuts, nibbling corners, punching standard openings and more. It is ideal for blanking small parts from a variety of materials including aluminum and stainless steel.

Consisting of hardened and ground punch holder, M-2 high speed punch, snap-lock stripper, and Slug-Free® die, the Marathon tool system is designed to outperform conventional tooling, according to Mate.

Its operation is unique, delivering the highest level of machine productivity and part quality. During the punch stroke for example, the entire Marathon assembly is driven down until the steel stripper contacts the material. Then the punch slides down through the sleeve, with the internal springs holding the material, and punches the hole. On the return stroke the spring action continues to exert downward force until the punch clears the hole, at which point the entire assembly retracts to the top of the stroke. In the Marathon system, the fitted steel stripper and spring stripping action significantly enhance tool life.

The rigid steel stripper exerts a firm and consistent pressure over a relatively wide surface area around the punched hole. There is less material flow and lateral deformation, which means the material is less likely to close in around the punch after it has penetrated or to create friction as it exits the hole. The pressure of the stripper exerted during the punching cycle flattens the sheet which results in better flatness in the workpiece. This is especially important with thinner stainless steel and similar materials.

The Marathon guided system also delivers the tool at a perfectly square angle to the material. The springs allow the punch to withdraw at the same angle, reducing tool deflection and wear. The punch holder virtually eliminates turret wear because it transmits less pressure to the turret bore than non-guided tools. All side loading and rubbing are contained within the punch holder rather than the turret bore.

Another Marathon feature is the Slug Free die which clears the slug every cycle, thereby eliminating slug pulling and extending tool life.

Marathon is also an easy tool system to set up. A single unit containing all components is quickly and easily loaded in the machine turret.