Manufacturing services · Chapter D · Method 24

Punching

A CNC punch press strikes standard or special tools through sheet to create holes, louvres and formed features at high speed.

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CNC punching machine. Representative process photo · Advliege · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

How it works

Punching, step by step.

A labelled schematic of the process (not to scale), and the four steps every job goes through.

Labelled diagram showing how punching works — Schematic · not to scale. Drawn by TCI Group.

STEP 01

Load sheet

Clamp the sheet to the moving table.

STEP 02

Select tool

The turret indexes the required punch and die.

STEP 03

Strike

Each stroke shears a slug through the sheet.

STEP 04

Form

Formed tools add louvres, embosses and countersinks.

Reference figures

What to expect.

Typical industry values to help you plan. We agree the figures for your part on the drawing.

Tolerance±0.25 mmTypical sheet features

SpeedHighMany holes per minute

FeaturesLouvres, embossesFormed in place

BurrSmall, on one sideDown-side burr

Materials	Mild steel, stainless, aluminium and galvanised steel sheet.
Finishes	Small burr on the exit side; deburring as specified.
Design guidance	Use standard tool sizes where possible. Holes at least equal to sheet thickness in diameter. Space features to avoid distorting the sheet.
Best suited to	Perforated panels, enclosures and parts with many repeated holes.
Watch-outs	Special shapes need special tools; nibbled edges show scallops.

Other methods in Sheet & tube

Previous: Sheet metal bending Next: Laser tube cutting

Next step

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Send a sketch, photo, sample or CAD file with your quantity and target date. We will recommend the most sensible route and explain the trade-offs before quoting.

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Reference figures are typical published industry values for planning, not a guarantee; final tolerances, materials and finishes are agreed in writing for each project.