Focus processes: fine blanking and thinning deep drawing
What edge quality does fine blanking achieve?
Answer
The process virtually eliminates edge deformation, so geometry stays true. We hold flatness and perpendicularity to within 0.03mm, and in some cases down to 0.01mm. The sheared surface is smooth and can extend over 90% of the material thickness, which improves both the look and the function of the part. Fine blanking also leaves a minimal fracture zone, and burrs are nearly nonexistent.
Sources
- Fine Blanking Operations in Precision Stamping | BalfordThe process virtually eliminates edge deformation, so geometry stays true. We hold flatness and perpendicularity to within 0.03mm, and in some cases down to 0.01mm. The sheared surface is smooth and can extend over 90% of the material thickness, which improves both the look and the function of the p...
- Blanking vs Piercing vs Notching: What Is The DifferenceBlanking. The blank is the product. Its edge quality is the part's edge quality, so burr height and the sheared-to-fracture ratio are specification items rather than process trivia. Piercing. The hole is the feature and the slug is scrap. Hole diameter, position and burr direction matter, and the sl...
- Custom Metal Shims & Shim Washers Made to Drawing | BalfordShort answer: A shim should be fine blanked when the cut edge is functional rather than cosmetic: it carries load, sets a preload or has to hold a stack height, and a torn blanking edge would change the assembly. Fine blanking supports the material through the cut, so a suitable part gets a high pro...
- Precision Metal Stamping Services | Custom Stamped PartsBrackets Stamped brackets with repeatable hole positions for reliable assembly. Sensor Components Small functional parts for sensor assemblies where feature location drives performance. PROCESS OPTIONS Precision Stamping Process Options The correct process balances functional requirements, edge qual...
- Blanking vs Piercing vs Notching: What Is The DifferenceWhen is fine blanking used instead? When the sheared edge itself carries the function and a conventional cut's fracture zone is unacceptable. Fine blanking uses a counterforce and an impingement ring to produce a near-full sheared edge, and it is a different machine and tool concept rather than a ti...
- Custom Metal Shims & Shim Washers Made to Drawing | BalfordWhat is the difference between laser cutting and blanking for shims? Cost and edge condition. Laser cutting needs no tooling, so it is the economical route up to roughly 2,000 pieces and the right choice for prototypes and profiles that are still changing; the edge carries a light heat-affected zone...
What an engineer still needs from you
- material and material condition (grade, temper)
- material thickness, plus the key diameter, height and wall thickness
- tolerances, burr direction and the visual acceptance standard
- annual volume - it decides whether tooling is single-hit, progressive or transfer
- surface finish, and any secondary machining, annealing or plating
Need a DFM feasibility assessment for your project?
Send the engineering drawing (STEP or PDF) with the material grade, thickness and annual volume. Balford engineers then check it against the process window - draw ratio, wall thickness, tolerances, blank and tooling route - and come back with what is feasible and what is not. An answer on this page cannot replace that review.
Upload a drawing for DFM reviewHow the DFM review worksRelated questions
- What is fine blanking?
- Fine blanking vs conventional blanking: which should I specify?
- Which materials and thicknesses suit fine blanking?
- What tooling does fine blanking need and what drives its cost?
- Fine blanking vs laser cutting vs machining for a flat functional part?
- What parts are typically fine blanked?
This page is an engineering answer, not a quotation and not a dimensional acceptance. It is generated from Balford's published material and held to the verified company fact sheet.