Punch assembly with quick attach punch point and stripper plate removably secure thereon

A punch assembly for a turret punch press, comprising:

• (a) an outer, generally cylindrical punch guide having a cylindrical bore extending longitudinally therethrough from an upper end to a lower end;
• (b) a punch driver disposed within the cylindrical bore of the punch guide and reciprocally movable therein;
• (c) a punch insert releasably affixed to a lower end of the punch driver and having a punch point of a predetermined shape at a lower end thereof;
• (d) a spring assembly affixed to an upper end of said punch driver, the spring assembly containing a compression spring for normally biasing the punch driver in an upward direction;
• (e) a plurality of elongate locking sliders fitted into a corresponding plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed inward from a peripheral surface of the punch driver where the plurality of locking sliders are formed to engage the punch insert and lock same to the punch driver when the locking sliders are in a first, elevated, disposition within the grooves and to disengage from the punch insert when in a second, lowered, disposition within the grooves;
• and
• (f) a lock collar concentrically disposed on the punch driver and rotatable through a predetermined arc between a first disposition where the locking sliders are precluded from sliding within their groove and an unlocked disposition where the locking sliders are able to slide within their grooves.