Four-slide parts, are also referred to as multi slide parts and wire forms. Like progressive tool parts, they do not lend themselves to generic categories. The key aspect of a four slide is its ability to form material around a mandrel to make the finished piece.

The material supplied to the press is either wire or strip stock. It is manipulated around a central mandrel with tooled slides coming from 4 opposing directions. Each slide performs an operation on the material, bringing it to its final shape.