Focus processes: fine blanking and thinning deep drawing
When is forced thinning needed instead of a conventional draw?
Answer
Draw force , which sets the press tonnage. Balford runs presses from 25 t to 350 t and draws up to Ø250 mm. Die clearance , which controls thinning and the surface of the drawn wall. Rules of thumb worth following Round the base radius up, not down: it is the cheapest way to remove cracking risk.
Sources
- Deep Drawing Design Guide | DFM for HousingsDraw force , which sets the press tonnage. Balford runs presses from 25 t to 350 t and draws up to Ø250 mm. Die clearance , which controls thinning and the surface of the drawn wall. Rules of thumb worth following Round the base radius up, not down: it is the cheapest way to remove cracking ris...
- Deep Draw Stamping & Deep Drawn Metal Stamping Guide | BalfordWhen is ironing used instead of another draw? When the wall has to be thinner than the blank. Ironing pushes the part through rings so the wall thins while both the inside and the outside diameter stay under control - that is how thin-wall sleeves and solenoid housings are made. When is intermediate...
- Metal Stamping Tolerances: Reading A Drawing Before QuotingIn metal stamping, tolerances are process-dependent. Pierced and blanked features in thin material can typically hold tighter tolerances than formed features, because forming adds springback, thinning and radius variation. Hole-to-hole position depends on piloting and strip layout; wall thickness on...
- Deep Drawn Metal Stamping Manufacturer | BalfordHow is wall thinning controlled? + Wall condition is managed through blank design, radii, draw sequence, lubrication, blank holder pressure and, where needed, ironing or restrike operations. Critical wall locations and the measurement method should be defined on the drawing or control plan. Can deep...
- Deep Drawing Aluminium vs Stainless Steel: Tooling ChangesDecision Aluminium Stainless steel Draw ratio per stage More generous More conservative; more stages Die clearance Tighter relative control to limit burrs and marking Set to accommodate work hardening and springback Radii Larger radii reduce cracking risk Radii balance crack risk against thinning Lu...
- Deep Drawing Steel Grades: DC01 to DC06 and EquivalentsGrade Standard What it is for Where it stops DC01 EN 10130 Bending, folding, shallow forming, general presswork Not intended for genuine drawing; will thin and tear on a deep cup DC02 formerly EN 10130 Used to sit between DC01 and DC03 Removed from the standard; treat it as a legacy callout and conf...
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?
- What edge quality does fine blanking achieve?
- 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?
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.