Plate constitution is one of the elements that determine the structure of a die. The plate constitution has a deep relationship to the method of preparing the major plates of a die. The details are explained below, see  [Fig. 1] below:

The maximum number of plates constituting a die is 8 (excluding compound dies or shoes, etc.).

The basic constitution has the five plates of - (1) Punch Holder, (3) Punch Plate, (5) Stripper Plate, (6) Die Plate, and (8) Die Holder.

When the punch is big, it is also possible to omit the punch plate and the punch holder and to attach the punch directly to the shank. In this case, the constitution will consist of the three plates of the stripper plate, the die plate, and the die holder. Even the stripper plate is not necessary in dies such as bending dies, etc., and the constitutions can have only two plates. However, such plate constitutions are a minority and most have a constitution of five plates and possibly an additional backing plate. While the main function of a backing plate is that of backing up the punch, etc., it is also used for fixing nests, or for adjusting the height, and sometimes as a bottom touching plate.

A factor that decides whether or not a packing plate is necessary is the form of the plates. Packing is not necessary, as can be understood from the figures, in the cases of the solid type, pocket type, or yoke type. Among these three types of plates, recently the solid type is being used more frequently. The other two types are not used as frequently.

In the case of the insert type, since a different part is assembled inside the plate, it is necessary to fix the nested part or to back it up, and a backing plate becomes necessary.

As is clear from the above explanation, the plate constitution will have a larger number of plates and very often 8 plates in the case of dies using insert type plates such as the die or stripper plates, that is, in the case of the so called precision type dies.

When the plate constitution only has a fewer number of plates, of course, it is possible to prepare the die cheaply. The plate constitution is determined by judging the method of using the die (whether the number of pressing operations is large or small) or the accuracy of the die.