— CK60 steel (1.1221)
Carbon steel with 0.57–0.65 % C, equivalent to AISI 1060. It provides the hardness needed after induction hardening while keeping a tough core, which prevents brittleness under cyclic bending.
Official distribution in Spain
Guide pillars
for die sets
The precision shafts that, together with the guide bush or the ball cage, align the two halves of a stamping die throughout the entire press stroke. Complete Steinel Normalien range to DIN 9825 / 9833 / ISO 9182.
Diameters
3 – 160 mm
Lengths
up to 560 mm
Surface hardness
62 – 64 HRC
Guide tolerance
ISO h3 ground
01
What are guide pillars for die sets?
Guide pillars are the hardened, ground shafts on which the guide bush or the ball cage slides, ensuring alignment between the upper and lower die shoe throughout the entire press stroke.
In international technical terminology they are called guide pillars or guide posts for die sets. The Steinel Normalien range covers all the usual constructive geometries: plain, central shoulder, with shoulder, quick-change, with head, for large stamping dies and the mini series — from Ø 3 mm up to Ø 160 mm.
02
Guide pillar types
Every type in the catalog, organized by geometry into expandable blocks. Open a block to see its pillars: each card shows the photo and the dimension drawing, the exact catalog name, the applicable standard and the technical characteristics. The tables with all the size combinations are in the downloadable PDF catalog.
01 Smooth guide pillarsPress-fit mounting · 5 types
Universal · sliding and rolling
The foundation of the range. Guide diameter precision-ground and micro-finished to ISO h3, press-fit mounting in an ISO R6 bore. Compatible with sliding bushes and with ball and roller cages.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7100
Plain guide pillar
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
The most universal configuration: compatible with all guide bushes and all ball and roller cages in the range.
- Diameter Ø
- 10–80 mm
- Length
- 90–500 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO R6
- Mounting
- Press-fit
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7102
Stepped guide pillar
StandardNon-standard
Stepped shaft with two guide diameters (d1 / d2) on a single body, for die sets with a change of section.
- Diameter Ø
- 15–38 mm
- Length
- 92–197 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3 (d1 and d2)
- Housing
- ISO R6
- Mounting
- Press-fit
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7105
Plain guide pillar with groove and retaining ring
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
Machined groove and retaining ring (included in the scope of delivery) that retains the pillar axially against pull-out.
- Diameter Ø
- 10–80 mm
- Length
- 90–500 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO R6
- Mounting
- Press-fit
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7106
Plain guide pillar with internal thread, both ends
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
Internal thread at both ends: screw-assisted removal and the option of bolted fixing to the die shoe.
- Diameter Ø
- 19–80 mm
- Length
- 100–500 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO R6
- Mounting
- Press-fit
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7608Inches
Inch plain guide pillar with internal thread
StandardNon-standard
Imperial-size version with internal thread, for die sets standardized in inches.
- Diameter Ø
- in inches mm
- Length
- in inches mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO R6
- Mounting
- Press-fit
- Material
- Steel 1.1221 (C60E) · hardened
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
02 Guide pillars with middle mount shoulderIntermediate support · 3 types
Universal · maximum lateral strength
A shoulder (flange) machined in the intermediate zone that is fixed to a guide plate. By halving the effective length between supports, deflection drops by 87.5 %. Shoulder fit diameter ISO js4, bore ISO H6.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7117
Guide pillar with central shoulder
StandardNon-standard
Intermediate support point for high lateral loads. Shoulder fit diameter ISO js4.
- Diameter Ø
- 12–50 mm
- Length
- 90–520 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 socket-head screws
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7114
Guide pillar with central shoulder and internal thread, both ends
StandardNon-standard
Like the ST7117, with internal thread at both ends for removal and bolted fixing.
- Diameter Ø
- 12–50 mm
- Length
- 90–520 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 socket-head screws
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7118
Guide pillar with small central shoulder
StandardNon-standard
Shoulder with a smaller external diameter, for die sets with little available space.
- Diameter Ø
- 12–50 mm
- Length
- 90–520 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
03 Guide pillars with shoulderAxial stop · no press · 3 types
Universal · removal without a press
A shoulder at the fitting end that acts as an axial stop. Unlike the plain pillars (press-fit removal), they are removed by undoing the shoulder screws. Fixed with 3 clamping pieces, bore ISO H6.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7120
Guide pillar with shoulder and internal thread
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
Axial stop that makes mounting and removal without a press easier. Ideal for sharpening and between-run maintenance workflows.
- Diameter Ø
- 15–80 mm
- Length
- 110–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7126
Guide pillar with shoulder and internal thread, both ends
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
Internal thread at both ends for workflows with periodic removals.
- Diameter Ø
- 15–80 mm
- Length
- 110–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7129
Guide pillar with shoulder and internal thread, fine centering
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
Fine centering to recover alignment with maximum precision when repositioning the tool.
- Diameter Ø
- 15–80 mm
- Length
- 110–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
04 Quick-change guide pillarsTapered shank · 1 type
Universal · change without a press
A ground taper mount that is inserted into a pillar-mounting bush (ST7182) and secured with a screw. Extremely fast mounting and removal, always in the same position.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7181
Quick-change pillar with ground taper mount and internal thread
StandardDIN 9825 / ISO 9182
The ground taper ensures the pillar returns to the same position after every change. Ideal for sharpening shops using surface grinders.
- Diameter Ø
- 19–63 mm
- Length
- 130–405 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- Pillar-mounting bush ST7182
- Mounting
- Ground taper + screw (no press)
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
05 Guide pillars with headSliding only · 2 types
Specific · sliding bush
An enlargement (head) at the end opposite the guide acting as a stop against pull-out. Optimized for the sliding bush: guide diameter ISO h6, bore ISO N7 / ISO H7.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7111Sliding only
Plain guide pillar with head
StandardISO 9182
Mechanical stop against pull-out and an enlarged bearing surface on the die shoe.
- Diameter Ø
- 10–32 mm
- Length
- 66–275 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h6
- Housing
- ISO N7 / ISO H7
- Mounting
- Press-fit (N7) or secured (H7)
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7112Sliding only
Guide pillar with head and lubrication grooves
StandardISO 9182
Helical lubrication grooves that distribute the lubricant and extend re-lubrication intervals.
- Diameter Ø
- 10–32 mm
- Length
- 66–275 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h6
- Housing
- ISO N7 / ISO H7
- Mounting
- Press-fit (N7) or secured (H7)
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
06 Guide pillars for large diesDIN 9833 · high tonnage · 5 types
Specific · large stamping dies
Range for large tools: body-panel dies and high-tonnage presses. Ø 25–160 mm in R10 progression, lengths up to 560 mm. Use for sliding guidance only.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST9833Sliding only
Guide pillar for large die-set constructions
StandardDIN 9833
The foundation of the high-tonnage range, for progressive dies in structural sheet and body panels.
- Diameter Ø
- 25–160 mm
- Length
- 125–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO f6
- Housing
- ISO H7
- Mounting
- Centering shoulder
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 62 ±2 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST9833TSliding only
Guide pillar for large die-set constructions, with lifting hole
StandardDIN 9833
Lifting hole (M12×24 thread) for the safe handling of heavy pillars.
- Diameter Ø
- 80–160 mm
- Length
- 224–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO f6
- Housing
- ISO H7
- Mounting
- Centering shoulder
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 62 ±2 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7160Sliding only
Guide pillar for large die-set constructions, with grooves
StandardDIN 9833 / ISO 9182
Lubrication grooves to maintain a lubricant film along the entire working zone on long pillars.
- Diameter Ø
- 25–160 mm
- Length
- 125–560 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO g6 · ajuste r6
- Housing
- ISO H7
- Mounting
- Centering shoulder
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST9825Sliding only
Guide pillar for large die-set constructions, with shoulder
StandardNon-standard
Shoulder for bolted fixing in large die shoes. From Ø 80 with M12×18 thread.
- Diameter Ø
- 25–160 mm
- Length
- 125–400 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO g6
- Housing
- ISO H7
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST9827Sliding only
Guide pillar with shoulder
StandardNon-standard
Variant with shoulder and ISO H6 bore within the large stamping dies range.
- Diameter Ø
- 15–160 mm
- Length
- 115–400 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO g6
- Housing
- ISO H6
- Mounting
- Fixed with 3 clamping pieces
- Material
- Acero 1.1221 (C60E) · templado inductivo
- Hardness
- 63 ±1 HRC
07 Mini-series guide pillarsØ 3–10 mm · 1 type
Miniature · optics and instrumentation
The miniature line for precision die sets, optics and instrumentation. Case-hardened steel, guide diameter ISO h3, bore ISO P6.
Photo
Dimensions
Guide pillarST7190Mini
Plain guide pillar, mini series
StandardNon-standard
Miniature pillar for optical and electrical measuring instruments. Material for Ø 3–6 mm: steel 1.2379.
- Diameter Ø
- 3–10 mm
- Length
- 30–160 mm
- Guide Ø tolerance
- ISO h3
- Housing
- ISO P6
- Mounting
- Centering shoulder
- Material
- Steel 1.7131 (16MnCr5) · case-hardened
- Hardness
- 62 ±2 HRC
03
Common material and technical characteristics
| Primary material | Steel 1.1221 (CK60 / C60E / AISI 1060) |
| Alternative material | 1.7131 (16MnCr5) case-hardened — mini series |
| Heat treatment | Induction hardening |
| Surface hardness | 62–64 HRC |
| Guide diameter tolerance | ISO h3 (universal) · h6 / g6 / f6 (sliding) |
| Guide diameter finish | Precision-ground and micro-finished |
— Induction hardening
It hardens only the rolling zone, leaving the core tough: a hard surface to resist wear, a tough core for impact and cyclic bending.
Which guide pillar does your die need?
Our engineers help you choose the geometry, the guide diameter tolerance and the mounting type to suit your die shoe and your application.
04
When to choose each type
Quick selection guide by application. Each recommendation points to one of the seven geometries in the catalog from the previous section.
| Application | Recommended type |
|---|---|
| Standard die set · compatible with balls, rollers and sliding | Plain — ST7100 |
| High lateral loads · intermediate guide plate | Central shoulder — ST7117 |
| Frequent removal without a press · grinder sharpening | With shoulder (ST7120) or quick-change (ST7181) |
| Sliding-bush-only operation · N7/H7 bore | With head — ST7111 / ST7112 |
| Large automotive tools · high tonnage | Large stamping dies — DIN 9833 |
| Miniature die sets · optics · instrumentation | Mini series — ST7190 |
05
Mounting and removal instructions
Installing plain pillars
Simultaneous vertical thrust · hydraulic press.
Correct vs incorrect removal
✓ From the non-rolling end · ✗ never through the rolling zone.
Mounting the guide pillar (plain)
- Thoroughly clean the bores of the upper and lower parts and apply oil — never grease.
- Insert the pillars into the upper part.
- Insert precision-ground parallel bars between the upper and lower parts.
- Insert the pillars about 3 mm into the lower part.
- Push the pillars to their final position with a hydraulic press or a manual spindle press.
The press fit is guaranteed by the combination of an ISO h3 pillar in an ISO R6 bore.
06
Quantitative deflection sizing rules
The Steinel catalog provides two curves that relate the geometry of the pillar to its stiffness. If a pillar deflects too much, the two ways to correct it are to shorten the length between supports or increase the diameter.
Deflection reduction (deflection under load)
Halve the length → −87.5 %
Increase the diameter × factor 1.68 (e.g. 25 → 42 mm) → −87.5 %
Bending moment reduction (stress)
Halve the length (e.g. 300 → 150 mm) → −50 %
Increase the diameter × factor 1.26 (e.g. 19 → 24 mm) → −50 %
NOTE
Intermediate fixing with a central shoulder is mechanically equivalent to reducing the effective length between supports — hence its large gain in lateral strength.
07
Industrial applications
Automotive (large stamping)
Progressive dies for structural sheet and body panels; DIN 9833 pillars from 25–160 mm.
Home appliances
Deep drawing and cutting for sheet metal.
Electronics and connectors
Compact DIN 9825 progressive dies for terminals and housings.
Metal packaging
Cutting and drawing of cans, lids and containers.
Cutting tools
Die sets with quick-change pillars in sharpening shops.
Fine blanking
Fine blanking — maximum stiffness of the guidance system.
08
Frequently asked questions
01 What is the difference between DIN 9825 and DIN 9833 in guide pillars?
DIN 9825 / ISO 9182-2 standardizes precision guide pillars for general die sets. DIN 9833 / ISO 9182-3 standardizes pillars for large stamping dies, with diameters from 25 to 160 mm in R10 progression and lengths from 125 to 560 mm in R20 progression — typical of body-panel dies. The DIN 9833 pillars distributed by Surisa work with ISO f6 tolerance (ST9833) or ISO g6 (with shoulder / with grooves), in ISO H7 bores.
02 What is the difference between h3, h6, g6 and f6 tolerance in guide pillars?
The letter (h, g, f) and the number define the position and width of the tolerance range relative to the nominal diameter. h3 is the tightest and the only one compatible with ball and roller cages (where the preload depends on clearances of just a few µm). h6 (with head) and g6 (with shoulder, sliding or industrial) are suitable for the sliding bush. f6 introduces a wider clearance, common in high-tonnage DIN 9833 pillars. Mixing incompatible tolerances alters the preload.
03 How can I reduce the deflection of an existing guide pillar without changing the material?
The two ways are geometric: reduce the length between supports or increase the diameter. Halving the length (for example, by fitting an intermediate guide plate) reduces deflection by 87.5 %. Increasing the diameter by a factor of 1.68 (e.g. from 25 to 42 mm) produces the same effect. To halve the bending moment: halve the length or increase the diameter by a factor of 1.26 (e.g. from 19 to 24 mm). Intermediate fixing with a central shoulder is mechanically equivalent to shortening the pillar between supports.
04 Why should a pillar never be driven out through the rolling zone?
The rolling surface is the zone induction-hardened to 62–64 HRC, precision-ground and micro-finished to h3 tolerance. Any mark, deformation or scratch introduced during removal alters the clearance with the bush or the preload with the cage, degrades guidance precision and accelerates wear of both pillar and bush. The extraction force must always be applied from the non-rolling end — the one seated in the die shoe.
05 Is a pillar with a tapered shank really interchangeable with another quick-change pillar?
Yes, if they share the same standardized taper and are mounted in the same pillar-mounting bush (ST7182). Steinel machines the ground tapers to very tight tolerances to ensure the pillar returns to the same position after every mounting. It pays off when the die is removed very frequently — for example, shops that sharpen blades on a surface grinder between runs. For fixed die sets, the plain or shouldered pillar is more economical.
Ready to specify your guide pillars?
We distribute the complete Steinel Normalien range in Spain. We advise on geometry, tolerances, pillar-bush combinations and delivery times.