Using a punch and die, metal fabricators cut “blanks”—or simple metal shapes—out of metal coil or sheets. Blanking is often the first of multiple steps in metal stamping projects because it can be used to quickly create a quantity of basic part geometry with minimal waste. Most blanks are then further shaped and formed with subsequent stamping and finishing processes like piercing, notching, bending, or deburring.
Verdugo Tool & Engineering is an ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR-compliant metal fabrication company, and we provide precision blanking services for aluminum, steel alloys, hard-to-machine metals, and rare alloys. Learn more about the materials we work with and the blanking process.
Commonly Used Materials for Blanking
Blank metal stamping is compatible with most sheet metal materials. At Verdugo, we frequently work with the following materials, as well as others:
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is hard and very strong. The carbon content in these alloys ranges from 0.8% to 2.11%, with hardness increasing as the percentage of carbon also increases. Standard carbon steel alloys have around 1.5% carbon. Common types of carbon steel we work with include mild steel, cold-rolled steel (CRS), and spring steel, among others. Carbon steels are also cost-effective, making it a popular choice for applications in most industries, including automotive parts, industrial equipment, and tools.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel alloys contain 10% to 30% chromium, which provides corrosion and heat resistance. Stainless steels contain lower amounts of carbon and may also contain aluminum, copper, or titanium metals and non-metal elements like sulfur and phosphorus. Because it can withstand more chemical and environmental factors, it’s a versatile, popular metal for a wide range of applications in vehicles, appliances, outdoor equipment, cookware, and others.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a soft, lightweight, ductile metal that is cost-effective, durable, and recyclable. These characteristics make aluminum popular for:
- Aerospace and automotive components that require a high strength-to-weight ratio.
- Energy industry components.
- Industrial goods.
- Household products.
Because it’s so cost-effective and easy to work with, aluminum is often a preferred material for high-volume production orders.
Other Materials
We also work with metals including but not limited to: copper, brass, and titanium. To best meet our customers’ requirements, we can do blanking work with just about any type of sheet metal.
vBlanking Methods Used in Metal Stamping
Different blanking and stamping processes are suited to different part shapes, features, and end uses. Verdugo has the experience, expertise, and equipment to offer multiple different blanking methods for a variety of applications. We also design and manufacture all tooling and dies in-house for end-to-end continuity throughout your project. Laser cutting, CNC machining, deburring, and other value-added finishing services are also available.
Compound Die Stamping
Compound die stamping is often used to manufacture complex metal components and parts with intricate geometries in a single operation. It uses one press stroke to perform multiple cutting and forming operations at the same time on a single piece of sheet metal.
Continuous Strip Blanking
In this process, a long, continuous strip of metal runs through a stamping press, and blanks are punched in close proximity for rapid production. Common examples include bottle caps, discs, or washer blanks.
Cutoff Blanking
Cutoff blanking is a compound process that involves both blanking and cutting and is often used for making long or rectangular parts. A piece of metal is fed into the press, then blanking punches form the part shape. Finally, the blank is cut from the strip with a straight or angled shearing motion.
Fine Blanking
Fine blanking is often used for extremely thin sheet stocks. This process eliminates the fracture zone that results in standard blanking processes by compressing the material and applying an upper punch and lower counterpressure pad. Edges are free from burrs and die roll, and resemble a machined edge.
Progressive Die Stamping
This process creates complex parts from a continuous strip of sheet metal. The strip automatically feeds through a die that contains multiple stations, each performing a different operation such as punching, bending, or cutting. As the press cycles, the part is progressively formed at each station until it’s separated from the strip in the final step.
Benefits of Metal Blanking
Metal blanking is a versatile, efficient process for transforming large pieces of sheet metal into smaller pieces and basic shapes for further stamping or finishing. At Verdugo, we use die and punch systems and CNC presses to produce blanks from a variety of materials. Blanking offers several benefits for many manufacturing projects. These include:
- High product quality. We deliver parts with clean edges and minimal distortion, and follow careful quality control protocols.
- Accuracy. Our tools and equipment can hold tight tolerances, within 0.001″ for some types of sheet metal materials.
- Speed. Blanking is a highly repeatable, high-speed process for quick production, even at high volumes.
- Material Efficiency. Blanking processes are developed to use materials efficiently to get the most components out of sheets or strips. This reduces wastes and saves on material costs.
Contact Verdugo Tool & Engineering Today for Your Metal Stamping Projects
Verdugo is an ISO 9001:2015-certified, contract metal stamping company that was established in 1957. Since that time we have continued to refine and improve our processes and services to meet our customers ongoing needs. blanking and custom stamping services provider. As part of our commitment to quality, we provide:
- Certificates of Conformance
- Chemical and physical material certifications
- Corrective action resolution
- DFARs-compliant materials and certification
- First Article Reports (per AS9102 standards)
- Lot traceability
- Records upon request
- ROHS compliance documentation
Contact us today to learn more about our blanking and metal stamping capabilities, or request a quote to start your order.