When the sample disc has been formed, and the die taken out of the press, the disc must then be removed from the die. In some cases this can be done by inverting the die and standing it on the plunger, removing the base, and pressing down on the edge of the die barrel with the heels of the hands. As the die barrel moves down, the plunger pushes the polished pellets and sample disc up. If hand pressure will not budge the plunger, the knock-out ring (supplied with each SPEX
CertiPrep pellet die) should be used.

The knock-out ring is a tube which fits into the recess in the lower end of the die barrel. With the die base removed and the knock-out ring in place, mechanical force can be applied to the die, easing the polished pellets and the sample disc out of the die without damaging them.

Whether the sample disc is extracted by hand, or with the press and knockout ring, the die barrel and plunger should be kept in an inverted position to minimize the risk of damaging the sample disc during extraction.

The use of lubricants in the die usually makes it possible to extract the sample disc by hand, as well as minimizing the chances of the sample disc jamming or sticking in the die bore.