Punching is an important part of sheet metal fabrication. Typically used to make holes in the sheet metal for various fastening units such as nails and screws, punches can be used for many different reasons. Aside from the very simple circular hole, punches can actually make various shapes depending on what it is being used for.
Punching
Unlike a whole punch for paper, metal punching is a bit different. For one, the metal may be warped and distorted if the punching is not done correctly. Also, the costs of machinery and tools are much more technical due to it not being a “one-size-fits-all” approach to punching with metal.
Shapes of Punching
Punches can be used to create the following shapes:
Ø Circles
Ø Squares
Ø Rectangles
Ø Custom Shapes (requires a custom die)
Not every punch press is made the same, so check to see the requirements of the punch you’re interested in before purchasing. There have been many mistakes made in the past for wrong specs of a machine that have hurt manufacturing operations substantially.
CNC punching, like most machining, requires some training and skill to operate the machines.
To create these shapes, two things must happen:
Ø The sheet or workpiece gets inserted between the punch and the die
Ø The punch will move the die in, and form the desired shape while the rest of the metal is separated from the new pattern.
Manual Metal Punching
Using a lever and manpower to make the punch, these machines are great for smaller operations in metal fabrication. With a spring lever, the unit takes advantage of the force gathering by the human pushing down on the lever to concentrate force into the die of the machine. It
Although we don’t sell punching machines, our partner company Direct Machines sells a variety of manual punching machines, including Baileigh and Jet tools. Click here to learn more à
Automatic Punching Machines
When the piece is inserted between the punch and die, the machine will push down without any other effort (unless a switch is required). With CNC punching, the whole process is automated and the machines move the workpiece more efficiently than with a manual effort done by a machinery operator.
Thick Metal
When working with sheets of metal that are as thick as ½ inch and greater, bigger machines are needed. This is where manufacturers such as Piranha and Boschert shine, their fabrication machinery is top notch (pun intended) and brings manufacturing processing up to a whole new level.
Boschert
With branches all over the world, Boschert produces some of the best CNC punching presses in the industry. Not only do they sell punching and notching machinery, but they sell punch lasers, which are exactly what they sound like. They punch, cut, and make your operations more flawless. Their punching machines overall are well worth the money – and they cut with such speeds that your manufacturing plant won’t know what to do with all the spare time it enables. Check out Boschert punch presses here.
Piranha
Specializing in Ironworking machines, Piranha also highlights their strengths in general sheet metal processing. With functions to enable punching, their flagship ironworkers are all equipped with hydraulic punch presses. They allow for sheet metal processing to be done in fractions of a second, and are the go-to machine of any job shop. Check Piranha punching machines here.
Have any specific technical questions? Contact us to speak to our technical representatives, and see for yourself how you can cut costs for your production facility!