.jpg)
Do you usually wonder what the blanking process is and what role it plays in sheet metal fabrication? Do not wonder anymore or make any guesses, as the Sree Metaliks Ltd. team is here to help you with your curiosity. The world of metal fabrication is quite diverse, and even after being a part of it, you might not be aware of all the intricacies involved. One such process you must know about if you are involved with metal fabrication or purchase metal products for your construction or any other business is blanking.
Table of Content |
This blog by Sree Metaliks will start from the basics and introduce you to the meaning of the blanking process in sheet metal fabrication. Following a brief understanding of the process, it will delve into other specifics like its significance, advantages, and several others.
What is Blanking?
Sheet metal blanking refers to the process of punching raw metal pieces into specific shapes like a sheet or a strip. The final product received after this punching is called a blank, and thus, the name of the process is blanking. Manufacturers use this process in the fabrication to produce a workpiece with certain dimensions and geometry for further processing.
Blanking uses a blanking tool that might be made from hardened steel or carbide. These materials for making these tools are used for their versatility and their work on plastic and metals like carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. Blanking involves punching, but it does not mean these two processes are the same; the next section of this blog will explain the differences between blanking and punching.
Difference between Punching and Blanking
Often confused with one another, punching and blanking are quite different from each other. The punching process in sheet metal is also referred to as piercing, and it involves piercing out a sheet of metal from the raw metal piece. Unlike blanking, punching's end product is not the punched sheet but the pierced sheet of metal. In punching, the remaining sheet is discarded.
As now the confusion between blanking and punching has been cleared, let's move on to the next part of this post that will introduce you to the process followed in the blanking method.
Blanking Process
Manufactures follow the below steps for blanking:
- Material Selection - The first step in blanking is to select a high-quality coil or sheet of metal to be blanked. The material is selected based on varying factors such as thickness and properties required.
- Die Design - After material selection, a die is designed. Here, die refers to a specialised tool with a cut-out pattern. The pattern of this is in the shape of the desired final product.
- Feeding - After designing the die, the metal coil or sheet is fed into the blanking press.
- Cutting - The blanking press contains the die, which exerts pressure on the sheet or coil to cut the desired shape. The final product received after cutting is known as the blank.
- Blank Removal - After cutting is completed, the blanks are removed from the press to separate them from the remaining material.
- Further processing - After taking out the blanks, they undergo further manufacturing processes.
With a deep understanding of the process followed for blanking, continue reading the next section of this guide to learn about the benefits of blanking operation in sheet metal.
Advantages of Blanking
Some of the numerous advantages of blanking are as follows -
Cost Efficient
Manufacturers use this process for its cost efficiency in mass production of parts. It is a high-speed process resulting in mass production within a limited time. Also, it is an automated process that reduces labour work.
High Precision
When done correctly with high-quality tools, blanking results in high levels of precision. It delivers end products with dimensional accuracy as desired.
Material Utilisation
Another advantage of the blanking method is that it does not waste material and maximises its use. It optimises the usage to save costs and enhance the environmental sustainability of the manufacturing process.
High Production and Scalability Rates
The process of blanking has high scalability, making it suitable for both large and small-scale production. Also, their automated process results in rapid production, saving cost and time.
Read More: Galvanized Steel vs. Regular Steel: What Sets Them Apart?
Conclusion
Blanking operation plays an integral role in sheet metal manufacturing. Sree Metaliks Ltd. firmly believes in its advantages and makes the perfect use of this process to make our manufacturing process more efficient and precise. We use the highest-quality blanking tool in the method to get high-quality end products that reduce the need for secondary operations. Our team is dedicated to delivering only the best quality to every customer, and our precise blanking procedure helps us to fulfill this commitment.