Comparability Between Fine Blanking and Conventional Stamping

Fine blanking presses are used to process thin materials such as sheet metal, plastic sheet, cardboard, wood and even paper. Using this high-precision technology, the finest contours can be stamped with consistent precision. The fine blanking press is also known as "fine cutting" presses. Fineblanking uses additional support tools (pads) and impact techniques to minimize plastic deformation during shearing. Fineblanked gears are used in automotive parts, appliances, offices and medical equipment.

1. Fine blanking creates functional surfaces of the finished product

Fine blanking technology excels in creating functional surfaces, but thicker sheets demand higher pressure—reducing stroke efficiency and output. However, as material thickness increases, the core challenge emerges: braking resistance from the workpiece counters the punch force, requiring precision control in fine blanking operations. At the lower end of the material, this resistance is suddenly broken and the punch rushes through the remaining sheet thickness with great acceleration. With this so-called cutting shock, the material accidentally tears more material at the edge, and the lower edge actually wears out. Finished parts must be reworked later if they are to have precise right-angled cut edges. This post-processing can be omitted if the sheet metal part is finely cut.

2. The fine blanking process is different from ordinary stamping

The punch moves from bottom to top during fine blanking. For this purpose, the raw material is held along the cutting contour by so-called ring clamps. Only then can the stamp with the desired shape cut the metal. Combined with a significantly reduced cutting gap, cylindrical cutting sections of up to 100 % of the sheet thickness can be achieved with precisely right-angled cutting edges, but for thin sheets the cutting gap becomes very small. Here a complex strut frame is required for guidance. In the press, further processing steps such as countersinking, punching, offsetting or penetration can be combined with fine blanking in progressive tools.

fine blanking vs stamping

3. The influence of cutting is eliminated during fine blanking

The tool set is more complex for fine blanking, as compared to punching, it also includes a recoil punch and a hold-down device that hold the sheet firmly before and during the cutting process. This induces a stress state as close as possible to the compressive stress range during shearing. This increases the formability of the material without any cracks or broken surfaces on the cut surface of the part. The workpiece material is plastically deformed until the punch has passed completely through the sheet - the material does not tear suddenly. These tear-free cut surfaces can be used as functional surfaces without further finishing.

4. When to Choose Conventional Blanking?

Conventional blanking, with its low cost and high production efficiency, is suitable for specific metalworking scenarios, where not all projects require the high precision of fine blanking. The following are ideal situations for choosing conventional blanking:
Budget constraints: Conventional blanking has significantly lower equipment investment and operating costs than fine blanking, making it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses or for production of parts that require less precision.
Simple part processing: For example, appliance housings or simple brackets, conventional blanking can be completed quickly, with tolerances within ±0.1mm sufficient.
High-volume production: Conventional blanking is fast and suitable for quickly producing large quantities of non-critical parts, such as automotive trim or hardware accessories.
Low edge quality requirements: When the part's function doesn't rely on a smooth edge, such as internal structural components, the slight burrs of conventional blanking will not affect its use.
Compared to fine stamping (which offers ±0.01mm accuracy and smooth edges, but is more expensive), BOYA's conventional blanking offers a reliable solution for budget-conscious projects where efficiency is paramount.

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