What is blanking in metal fabrication?
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.
Stamping
Metal stamping is a manufacturing process that uses presses and dies to cut, bend, and shape flat metal blanks into finished parts. It is used for high-volume production of automotive, appliance, and electronic components.
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.
Slug
In stamping, a slug is the scrap piece punched out from the sheet when a hole is made — it is the waste, not the product. Do not confuse with a blank, which is the desired piece.
Fine Blanking
Fine blanking is a precision blanking process that produces parts with smooth, square edges and tight tolerances in a single stroke. Used for automotive and medical components requiring no secondary operations.