What are pilot holes primarily used for?

Pilot holes are primarily used as a guide to accommodate centering of turret punch dies during machining operations. These small holes provide a precise starting point for drilling or punching operations, ensuring that larger tools accurately align with the material being worked on. By creating a pilot hole, machinists can reduce the risk of tool misalignment, which can lead to material waste or damage. This practice is especially critical in metal fabrication processes, where precision is paramount to maintaining the integrity of the parts being produced.

While pilot holes serve crucial functions for alignment and precision, the other options do not pertain to their primary use. Enhancing aesthetic quality does not apply to the practical purpose of pilot holes, nor do they assist in heat conduction or facilitate metal bending, as these are functions associated with other processes or techniques in machining and manufacturing.