An Overview of How Metal Punching Process Works

With the inception of the Industrial Revolution, many industries switched from manual production processes to machine-aided ones. Metalworking is one such industry that has seen a significant change in the way products are manufactured.

In earlier times, metal objects were created by hot forging or cold forging methods. However, with the advent of technology, a new method was developed – Punching.

In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at how punching works – from the different types of equipment used to the various steps involved in the process.

What is Metal punching?

This is a process involving the use of specialized tools to create shapes, holes, or indentations in pieces of metal. The process can be performed by hand or using machine power, and is commonly used to create components for everything – from jewelry to aircraft.

Tools used to facilitate the punching process

This metal forming process involves the use of two important tools – punches and dies.

Punches are the cutting tools that create the shapes, holes, or indentations in the metal, while dies are specialized shapes that guide the punches to ensure accuracy.

Dies can be either single-stage or multi-stage – with multi-stage dies being more complex (and expensive) but also capable of creating more intricate shapes.

The punching process

A machine known as a punch press is used in the punching process. Punch presses work by using a die (a negative mold) to create the desired shape in the metal.

The metal is placed on top of the die, and then a punch (a positive mold) is used to push the metal into the die.

Once the metal has been punched, it can then be further processed into a desired form. This is done using a variety of different tools, depending on the type of metal being used and the desired final product.

Steps involved in the punching process

Depending on the type of project you’re working on, the order of these steps may vary slightly – but in general, most metal punching projects will follow these six steps:

1. Marking and Measuring

The first step is to mark and measure the metal piece to ensure that the punches will be placed in the correct location.

2. Layout and Drilling

In this step, the layout of the holes, shapes, or indentations to be created must be planned out – sometimes using a software program.

Once the layout is complete, pilot holes can be drilled or pilot indentations are hammered into the metal piece to help guide the punches.

3. Punching

This is the actual punching step, during which the punches are inserted into the pilot holes or indentations and used to create the desired shape in the metal.

4. Deburring

Once the punching is complete, any sharp edges on the metal piece must be removed – a process known as deburring.

5. Inspection

After deburring, the metal piece will be inspected to ensure that it meets all the requirements for the project.

6. Cleaning

The final step is to clean the metal piece, removing any debris or residue left behind by the punching process.

Key Takeaway

Whether you’re a hobbyist working on a small project or an industrial manufacturer, understanding the basics of the metal punching process is essential to creating high-quality parts.

If you’re looking for steel punching services in Albuquerque, New Mexico Metals LLC is your one-stop shop. We offer a variety of services, including custom metal fabrication, to meet your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!