Learn about the three main cutting processes used in shaping sheet metal: shearing, blanking, and punching. This simple guide is perfect for young learners to understand how sheet metal is cut and shaped.
Hi there! Let's learn about some cool ways people cut sheet metal. Sheet metal is like a thin, flat piece of metal, kind of like a metal cookie sheet. There are three main cutting processes we want to know about: shearing, blanking, and punching.
Imagine you have a big metal sheet and you want to cut a straight line through it, kind of like using scissors on paper. Shearing is when a machine pushes down and cuts the metal along a straight line. The metal doesn’t get melted or torn; it's just sliced neatly.
Now, think about cutting out a cookie shape from dough. The cookie cutter cuts around the outside to make the cookie shape. Blanking is like that for metal. You cut out a piece of metal (called a 'blank') from a larger sheet, and this piece will be used to make something else, like a part for a car or toy.
Sometimes, you want to make a hole or a shape inside the metal sheet, without cutting out the whole piece. Punching is when a machine pokes through the metal to make holes or shapes. The piece that is punched out is called the 'slug'.
In summary:
Doesn't it sound like fun to know how big metal sheets get turned into all sorts of useful things?