Sheet Metal Operations

Sheet Metal Operations

Following are the 9 different types of sheet metal operations:

1. Shearing
2. Blanking
3. Punching
4. Piercing
5. Trimming
6. Drawing
7. Embossing
8. Bending
9. Squeezing

1. Shearing

It is a cut in a straight line across a strip, sheet or bar. It leaves a lean edge on the piece of metal is
sheared or cut. In this operation, a sheet metal workpiece is placed or kept between two dies from
one end. And, the punch is hit at the other end of the sheet, producing a shearing effect.

It has 3 basic stages:

1. Plastic deformation
2. Fracture
3. Shear

a) Plastic Deformation

When a metal is placed between the upper and lower blades of the shear and pressure is applied,
plastic deformation takes place. It extends into metal for about 5 to 40% of metal thickness.

b) Fracture

At the point of greatest stress concentration fracture takes place.

c) Shear

Small fractures are found and the metal is sheared.

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

2. Blanking

It is an operation of cutting a whole piece from sheet metal. In which enough scrap is left all around
as shown in fig. A punch and die is applied for this type of sheet metal operation.

Read also: 22 Different Types of Lathe Machine Operations

3. Punching

It is an operation of producing circular holes on a sheet of metal by a punch and die. This is the exact
opposite of blanking but the operation is nearly the same. A Punch and die are further used here
such as blanking operations.

4. Piercing

Piercing is the process in which desired shape holes are produced in a piece of sheet metal without
eliminating any material from the sheet or removing a very small amount of material as shown in the

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

figure. Both punch and die are also applied in this operation. The punch used in the piercing
operation is usually bullet-shaped.

5. Trimming

The trimming operation is also known as shaving operation. It is a finishing operation by removing
the burrs from the cut edges is taken out in order to make edges smooth and also provide
dimensional accuracy.

6. Drawing

It is an operation of producing thin-walled hallows or vessel shaped parts from sheet metal. It can be
divided into two categories:

1. Deep drawing
2. Shallow drawing

a) Deep Drawing

The length of depth of the object to be drawn is deeper than its width.

b) Shallow Drawing

The length of the object to be drawn is less than its width. The examples of drawing are pans, tubes
and cams.

Read also: Drilling machine – Parts, It’s Types, Operations with PDF

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

7. Embossing

It is the metalworking operation which is used to create raised surfaces or lettering in sheet metal.
There is no change in metal thickness during this operation.

8. Bending

It occurs when forces are applied to localized areas. Here the metal flow is uniform along the bend
axis with the inner surface in compression and outer surface in tension.

Types of bending

1. Edge bending
2. V-bending
3. U-bending
4. Offset bending
5. Channel bending

Read Also: What is Up and Down Milling: Difference Between Up Milling and Down Milling

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

1. Edge Bending

It is a type of bending operation, In which a piece of sheet metal is fixed or held between two dies
from one end, as shown in the fig. Then the other end is forced to strike upon the punch which is
free or unfixed. Thus, the free or unfixed edge of the sheet metal piece is bent to make the forming
process.

2. V-bending

In these type of bending operation, when a piece of sheet metal is pressed between the die and the
punch; It is formed into a V-shape in the die.

3. U-bending

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

In this type of a bending operation, in which when the punch is pressed by a force to move into the
die, the sheet metal piece gets formed into a U-shape.

Read Also: What is DNC Machine: Overview, Functions, Types, Components, Advantages

4. Offset Bending

It is a type of bending operation, in which a piece of sheet metal is formed into an offset shape with
the help of a punch and die.

5. Channel Bending

In this type of a bending operation, in which when a force is used to the punch to move into the die,
the sheet metal piece, in between the punch and die, gets the shape according to the shape of the
die and punch i.e. a channel shape.

Read Also: 7 Types of Lathe Machine Chucks: It’s Parts, Working with [Images]

9. Squeezing

It is a quick and widely used way of forming ductile metals. It has different operations such as sizing,
coining, riveting etc.

1. Sizing

Sizing operation is a squeezing operation that reduces the thickness of the metal. The sizing is done
in an open die and only the surface where the die and workpiece touch will be sized.

TheEngineersPost.co Page
 Sheet Metal Operations

2. Coining

It is a process of pressing metal in a die so that it flows into the die space. For example Medals,
Coins, and Jewellery.

The sheet metal operation depending on the type of stress

induced…
SI.No. Stress Induced Operations
1. Shear Shearing, Blanking, Piercing and Trimming
2. Tension Stretch forming
3. Compression Coining and Sizing etc
4. Tension and Compression Drawing, Bending, Forming etc

That’s it, Thanks for reading. I hope you find this article helpful if yes, please share this with your
friends. If you have any questions about “Sheet Metal Operations” ask in the comments I’ll respond
to you.

Join us on Facebook.

Read Next:

 16 Different Types of Milling Cutters [Complete Guide]

 Difference Between Capstan and Turret Lathes
 4 Different Types of Shaper Machine Mechanism

TheEngineersPost.co Page