Consider the following statements related to piercing and blanking
1. Shear on the punch reduces the maximum cutting force.
2. Shear increases the capacity of the press needed
3. Shear increases the life of the punch
4. The total energy needed to make the cut remains unaltered due to provision of shear.
Which of these statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 4
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 and 4