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 Fine blanking is a manufacturing
process that uses a combination of metal stamping and cold extrusion
technologies to produce high-volume, high-precision parts. Using specially
designed tooling and a triple action hydraulic press, manufacturers can produce
metal parts
with fully-sheared, straight-cut edges. Fine blanking is also used to
manufacture components with small holes, excellent flatness, and thin web
sections relative to material thickness. The process is highly-repeatable with
little dimensional variation.
Fine Blanking for High-Volume
Production
Invented in Germany during the
1920s, fine blanking was first used to produce cash registers, watches, and
clocks. Since then, machine builders and manufacturers have made many
technological advances in terms of both fine blanking tooling and fine blanking presses.
Today, this highly-precise manufacturing method is used to make auto parts and
electronic components. Fine blankers also mass produce knife blades, power
tools, and multi-tool components.
Die Wear and Metal
Burrs
Fine blanking equipment produces
parts with near-zero clearance and precise tolerances. Over time, however, fine
blanking dies wear out and impart sharp edges to metal surfaces. These extruded
edges often contain burrs, unwanted pieces of metal that can injure material
handlers, damage seals, increase mechanical wear, interfere with lubrication,
and lead to premature part failure. Metal burrs that break free from fine
blanked parts can also damage machinery and equipment.
Manual Burr Removal vs.
Automated Deburring
Manual deburring is great for hobbyists,
but this surface finishing operation can be time-consuming, labor-intensive,
and expensive. For the high-volume production of fine blanked auto parts and
electronic components, manufacturers need a cost-effective alternative
to hand tools. That's why Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) offers
NamPower abrasive disc brushes, professional-grade deburring tools for manual
and automated machinery.
NamPower Industrial Brushes for
Manufacturing
NamPower industrial brush
tools integrate easily with machinery, CNC machining centers, transfer lines,
and robotic cells. Made with a molded, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic base,
these high-quality industrial brushes are designed for use with a flow-through
coolant holder. By allowing coolant to flow from the brush center instead of
supplying lubricant only from the outside, NamPower arbors provide improved
cutting action and longer tool life.
How to Automate Deburring and Surface
Finishing
NamPower brush tools enable fine blankers
to perform deburring and surface finishing operations at the same time. Parts manufacturers
can also use NamPower abrasive disc brushes for edge radiusing, parts cleaning,
and rust removal. From metal finishing prior to plating to deburring after fine
blanking, BRM's NamPower brushes provide a total finishing solution. To learn
more, watch the new How to Automate Deburring
and Surface Finishing video from Brush Research Manufacturing.
Author's Note: This CR4 blog entry
originally appeared in BRM's
Flex-Hone Blog.
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