An apparatus and method is provided for forming a punch retaining ball at the end of a wire to form a headed punch pin for making vias in greensheets comprising advancing the wire through a die, contacting the end of the wire with a movable electrode which forms the ball by completing an electrical circuit with the wire and the electrode, after which the wire is retracted so that the formed punch pin is restrained from movement by the die and is cut forming the punch pin. A formed punch pin collection device is also provided as is a defective punch pin removal device. After the formation and removal from the apparatus of a formed punch pin or a reject defective punch pin, the apparatus is moved to its starting position and again activated to advance the wire through the die and the above procedure repeated.