PURPOSE: To obtain improved method and apparatus for forming holes in a board.

CONSTITUTION: Two or more linear arrays of holes are punched through a board through its expansive faces in a punching zone. A punch and a die coating with the punch are used to punch each punched hole, in a press comprising a pressing ram and a pressing bed, upon relative movement of the pressing ram and the pressing bed toward each other. The board is registered in the pressing zone, in a predetermined position, by engaging its opposite edges and its opposite ends. A physical measurement is conducted in an inspecting zone by inserting a probe into each drilled hole so as to determine whether such drilled hole has been drilled to a minimum depth. These punching, drilling and inspecting steps of the improved method are carried out in a series of automated operations of the improved apparatus.