Pilot
A pin that engages pierced holes to precisely register the strip at each station of a progressive die.
What it means on the floor
Pilots are pointed pins that enter previously pierced holes (or dedicated pilot holes) to pull the strip into exact position before the working punches engage. They correct the small errors that accumulate in mechanical feeding.
Proper piloting is essential to holding position tolerances across many stations in a progressive die.
Category: Die Design
Applying the term
Interpret Pilot in the context of the drawing, governing standard, and customer requirement in front of you — the same word can carry different limits in design, quality, and production documents. Check whether a stated value is nominal, minimum, maximum, or reference-only, and whether it applies before forming, after forming, or after heat treatment.