William Noble wrote:
like this isn't used anymore, but I've never acutally been next to an
operating progressive press (ok, what is a progressive press?)
This has several stations on one platen where the part advances
from station to station with each press cycle. Each station
does something different to the part. Many times the part is
made from a strip of metal, and the part is left attached to the
strip until the very end, when it is cut free. So, the strip
just pays through the punch, step by step. These punches can
make holes, bend the part, draw it, even crimp several parts
together. If you've ever taken apart an appliance switch, wall
switch or outlet, the metal parts inside are usually made like this.

Jon