I am curious if anyone on this forum can help me. I am looking for a D-punch for an SMA bulkhead feedthrough. The product page can be found here: http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/pn/en/1883077-1 and the technical drawing can be found here: http://www.tycoelectronics.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=showdoc&DocId=Customer+Drawing%7F1883077%7FB%7Fpdf%7FEnglish%7FENG_CD_1883077_B.pdf%7F1883077-1. I have tried contacting Tyco directly and they believe the only way to achieve the D-shape for the feedthrough is by a mill.

I appreciate any input.

Jeff

I needed one for a job a few months back, and looked all over but came up empty handed. I was looking for a "greeley punch" type device.

To get by, I took a round file of the appropriate diameter, and belt-sanded a flat spot on one side. It did not work all that well...some of the connectors still rotated. But that was in sheet metal, maybe if it was thicker metal I could have done a more precise filing job.

If you find one, let us know!

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Rich
Maguffin Microwave Consulting
www.MaguffinMicrowave.com

Greetings jeffdarrow:

I have searched high and low in the past, and again just now, looking for an SMA panel punch, all in vain. I'm guessing that panel manufacturers have a die maker fabricate custom punches. Evidently the market isn't big enough to support a commercial product.

Greenlee makes a large set that starts at about 1/2" (which should work for a BNC type), but nothing smaller. It's hard to believe that some Chinese company doesn't offer the SMA and other sizes.

I suppose what the Tyco rep said is probably ture in some instances where a CNC machine is cutting an entire panel, but I remember days way back in the 1980 - back when companies like GE and Westinghouse had their own in-house machine shops, where the sheet metal guys punched D holes and the holes for D-Sub multipin connectors.

If you do manage to locate the punch you're seeking, please let me (us) know.

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- Kirt Blattenberger 
RF Cafe Progenitor & Webmaster

Thank you both for your replies. I have given up my search with the same conclusions you have both come up with. I suppose for now we will have to use the drill bit/metal file solution. It is unfortunate that a company like Greenlee hasn't made such a product yet. Perhaps one day they will see a big enough market.

Thanks again for your input.

Jeff

Just my 2 cents... You could try a homemade punch.

Get an inexpensive circular punch with the right diameter for the round part of the hole and file or grind one side so you just have the "C". Punch that and finish up with an sharp, inexpensive chisel (woodworking type) to get the flat.

Good luck.

Kevin

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Kevin AB2ZI

I also suspect that an actual machine shop would use a broach instead of a punch to machine the D shaped slot. That way, they can get thru thicker material too.

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Rich
Maguffin Microwave Consulting
www.MaguffinMicrowave.com

If somebody finds a supplier, I'll stock and sell it

Bob Hawkins
Www.fairviewmicrowave.com