Blanking is a manufacturing process where metal is punched into blanks using dies, which can be customized. Shearing is commonly done with metal coils, and leftover metal can be recycled. Precision blanking produces metal parts with tight tolerances for specialized applications. Outsourcing is an option, and additional services may include grinding, stamping, and polishing.
Blanking is a step in the manufacturing process in which dies are used to punch blanks of metal in preparation for machining and finishing. For example, a medal manufacturing company may run a coil of sheet metal through a shearing machine, which cuts out circles that can be stamped with the medal design. The molds used for this process can be generic or custom ordered for specific projects. This method is used in the production of a range of metal components, from computer parts to precision instruments.
Most commonly, shearing is done with a metal coil. Rolls are easier to handle than cut sheets because they are compact when not in active use and can be loaded into production equipment for high-speed processing. Companies can customize the alloy used in a coil as well as the thickness and width to suit a particular project. Larger coils may require processing in special facilities because the blanking equipment may need to be extremely large.
In the blanking stage of production, dies punch patterns into the metal, much like a cookie cutter. The biscuit, so to speak, becomes the workpiece; it can be stamped with a design, finished to smooth the edges and treated if the metal needs a patina or coating. Leftover dough can be recycled for use in other projects. Piercing, opposite manufacturing processes, punches a workpiece and discards the contents of the holes as scrap.
Businesses can outsource this service if they don’t have the equipment. A company can supply coils or use customer-supplied ones, and can use their own blanks or custom molds that the customer orders. Costs for commercial shearing can depend on the project. Discounts may be available for large volume orders, as a large portion of the cost is for equipment installation and calibration. Additional services may include grinding to remove burrs as well as stamping and polishing, depending on customer requirements.
Precision blanking, a related service, produces metal parts to very tight tolerances. This may be necessary for tools, electrical components and other special circumstances. In this case, whitespace cannot vary from the pattern because it may not work correctly; in precision machining, for example, a small marginal difference can mean that two parts will not fit together properly. They may be prone to damage and failure due to wear and tear, which is undesirable.
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