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punch press

punch press

1 6.8
A machine that cuts and shapes metal sheets by pressing a shaped tool
  • noun
  • /pʌnʧ prɛs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : prensa de punzonado
  • Before long, I was running a punch press, wielding a rivet gun, and earning nearly $400 a week.

Examples

  • This handy little gadget is a punch press.

  • I'm sure that's the woman montag had on the punch press.

  • I'm afraid we had to add this stock to restrain the young lady from flinching when the punch press comes crashing down on her body!

  • In the manufacture of a photocopier frame, angle iron steel stock is first cut and pierced in a punch press to form rails.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Alternatively, a CNC shear could do the shearing and a CNC punch press could punch the holes and slots.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the factory, workers line up to operate the punch press that shapes metal sheets into precise parts.

  • The engineer explained how the punch press uses a die to cut metal with great accuracy.

  • At the workshop, the sound of the punch press echoed as it efficiently stamped out various components.

Synonyms

press
vspunch press
141 4.1

A machine that uses pressure to shape, cut, or squeeze things

is narrower, meaning specifically a die-based machine for metal sheet cutting or shaping
mechanical press
vspunch press
  • Specialized
4.9

A machine that uses force to shape, cut, or squeeze materials

is focused on cutting or shaping metal sheets with dies using electric or hydraulic power
fly press
vspunch press
  • Specialized
8.4

A machine that uses a heavy wheel and a screw to push and shape metal

is for cutting metal sheets using dies and powered systems rather than screw action

How Powerful

hydraulic press
  • Specialized
1 4.2
punch press
  • Specialized
1 6.8
mechanical press
  • Specialized
4.9
bench press
  • Specialized
5.6
handpress
  • Specialized
6.5

Surface Forms

punch press singular
punch presses plural

Morphology

punch + press

The compound is directly compositional: 'punch' (to make a hole by pressing/piercing) modifies 'press' (a machine that exerts pressure), yielding ‘a press that punches’ — i.e., a machine for punching or shaping metal. This noun‑noun formation follows a common English pattern and, despite its technicality, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The compound noun punch press comes from a simple image: a shaped tool called a punch is forced down by a press to cut or make holes in metal. So the name tells you exactly what the machine does: it 'punches' holes by pressing the metal.