This flat piece of hardened steel sits above the die block and surrounds the punch. As the press cycles upward, the stripper plate holds the metal strip down, forcing the punch to retract cleanly out of the newly cut hole. Without this component, the material would stick to the punch and jam the tool on the return stroke.
Heard on the job
We keep breaking punches on the progressive die because the stripper plate springs are shot.
Insider tip
If you see galling or scoring on the sides of your punches, check the clearance and spring tension on the stripper plate.