The world of metal fabrication is filled with different cutting and forming processes. These processes are performed by reputable fabrication companies in order to help their customers create their products. Whether you are looking to manufacture tractor parts or build bleachers for the local high school, you’ll have to rely on the services of a sheet metal fabrication team. Two of the most important cutting processes involved in the metal fabrication world are known as punching and shearing. Let’s break down both processes in order to outline why they are so important.
Importance of Punching and Shearing
If you know only a little bit about metal fabrication, you’ll understand that the service is used to create a final product. Metal fabrication is the backbone of a variety of different industries. No matter what industry you are operating out of, you are going to need to lean on fabrication experts who can capably shape their materials into your final goal. In order to be able to effectively do their job, fabrication experts must be able to punch and shear.
1) Why is punching important?
Punching is a basic cutting process wherein a piece of material is removed from its source. Each time your machine punches through the material, a hole is left behind. The material that has been punched out of the larger form will be either recycled or set aside for use later on. Depending on the type of punching die that you are using, you’ll have to be specific with regards to what material you are working with. This material process is obviously important because it is integral to the detail work that makes fabricating metal a reality. You’ll find that punching is largely done on sheets of metal. This is an automated technique that helps to keep the fabrication process moving.
2) Why is shearing so important?
Shearing is similar to punching, though different in execution. Shearing is the act of cutting pieces of your material away from the larger body. Shearing effectively is the act of separating your material into two separate pieces. How you shear your material will depend on the thickness of the metal, the angle of your cut, and how quickly you need the cut accomplished. As we said above, shearing and punching do share some similarities but they are different processes that need to be understood.
Shearing and punching are two acts that are foundational to the metal fabrication process. If you are looking to have custom fabricated metal items, you’ll have to familiarise yourself with these techniques. Otherwise, you can call on a reputable fabrication team to take over the task.