Fine Blanking

Patented in 1922 for the Swiss clock and watch industry, the fine blanking process was adopted by the broader manufacturing industry in the 1970’s.

Conventional blanking or stamping work produces parts with sheared surfaces that are only partially –generally one third – cleanly sheared, the remaining two thirds showing a rough break. Using fine-blanking, precise finished components with inner and outer forms cleanly sheared over the completely material thickness are produced in one single operation. Thereby great production cost savings can be made. In order to achieve such quality, a triple action press and a specially constructed tool are required.

Features
Tolerances of plus or minus 0.015mm are achievable
Holes with a diameter as small as 60% of the material thickness can be pierced
Can be used with most metals, with a thickness of up to 20mm
Components remain flat
The process can accommodate features such as countersinks, extrusions, semi-pierces, weld projections, coined chamfers, counter bores, and offsets.

Where it is used
Automotive industry: brake pad backing plates and brake adjustment parts, door lock parts, hand brake sections, safety belts and height adjusters parts, gear and toothed segments, parts for gear boxes, reclining seat adjusters, window wiper drives, timing chains and sprockets, parts for climate control and air conditioners, including exhaust flanges for catalytic converters, EGR systems.
Household appliances: sewing and knitting machines, irons, washing machines, mixers, meat grinders, coffee machines, tape recorders, CD players, radio and television sets
Leisure: ski bindings, ice and roller skates, fishing equipment, pocket knives
High precision: watch and clock mechanisms, watch straps, movie and still cameras, film and slide projectors, lenses, computer disc drives and components
Electrical industry: Parts for circuit breakers, trip switches and distribution boards, plug in contacts, lead connectors, switching mechanisms.
General machine and equipment applications: Industrial sewing machines, textile machines, drilling machines, grinding machines, power saws, drive and control chains, valve plates, cooling units, electro magnetic clutches, drive and switching devices, electrical apparatus