The technologies
The technologies analysed for flatbed blanking of the workpiece are:
- punching from coil
- punching from sheet metal
- stamping with press.
Fig. 2 Sheet-fed
punching machine.
Punching from sheet metal
Punching with sheet feeding is the technology that allows maximum flexibility (fig, 2). Complex shapes may be obtained within the space of the sheet and the system is also suited to the manufacture of a single piece. There are machines with manual or automatic loading and unloading; in either case the machine must stop when the sheet is loaded and the finished product unloaded.
Fig. 3
Sheet-fed
punching machine
with automatic
loading and
unloading.
Punching from coil
Punching with coil feeding capability is a technology suited to medium and small quantity production. The machine loads the metal strip directly from the coil; the machine therefore always works in the automatic cycle with good flexibility (fig. 4).
Fig. 4
Coil punching
line with decoiler,
straightener and coil
punching unit..
Stamping with press
Stamping is the technology suited to mass production.
In this case the speed is maximum, but flexibility is low: a die is made for each product and its cost must be amortised in production (fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Stamping line with press.
"Punching and stamping: how to compare production cost."
Article taken from "Lamiera" Magazine: October 2005