Punch assembly with interchangeable tips

A method of bending a workpiece comprising:

• securing a punch body to a punch holder, the punch body including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end defining a V-shaped surface elongated in a lateral direction and formed by a front surface that is angled relative to a rear surface as defined by an angle between the front surface and the rear surface, wherein the angle defines a vertex that points in a press direction that defines movement of the punch body along an axis that is perpendicular to the lateral direction;
• magnetically coupling a first punch tip to the distal end of the punch body using a plurality of magnets, the first punch tip having a working surface and an opposing coupling member configured to engage the first punch tip in a tongue-in-groove arrangement, wherein a first set of the plurality of magnets are provided proximate the front surface of the distal end of the punch body and a second set of the plurality of magnets are provided proximate the rear surface of the distal end of the punch body such that the plurality of magnets are embedded in a tongue and cupped within a groove of the tongue-in-groove arrangement when the first punch tip is magnetically coupled to the distal end of the punch body;
• moving the punch body and the coupled first punch tip in the a first press direction such that the working surface of the first punch tip engages a workpiece;
• forcing the first punch tip and the workpiece into a die in the first press direction such that the first punch tip bends the workpiece within the die;
• moving the punch body and the coupled first punch tip in a second press direction that is opposite the first press direction such that the working surface of the first punch tip disengages the workpiece;
• removing the first punch tip from the punch body in order to de-couple the first punch tip from the punch body;
• and
• magnetically coupling a second punch tip to the distal end of the punch body, the second punch tip having a working surface and an opposing coupling member.