What is a slug in metal stamping?
Related Terms
Metal Blank
A metal blank is a flat piece of metal cut to a specific size or shape, ready to be formed, stamped, machined, or processed further. It's the starting material before a part is finished.
Blanking
Blanking is a stamping process where a punch forces metal through a die to cut out a flat shape — the blank — from a sheet. The blank is the desired part; the surrounding sheet is the scrap.
Punching vs Blanking
In punching, the punched-out piece is the scrap (called a slug) and the sheet with holes is the product. In blanking, the punched-out piece is the product (the blank) and the surrounding sheet is scrap.
Piercing
Piercing is a stamping operation that cuts holes in a metal part or blank. Unlike blanking, the cut-out material (slug) is discarded and the sheet with holes is the workpiece.