Sheet metal punching
Review for repeated round holes, slots or patterns that fit available tooling. Confirm pitch, edge clearance and the permitted burr side.
Sheet metal fabrication / holes and slots
Sheet metal
punching services.
Send your drawing for a quote on round holes, slots and repeat openings in sheet metal parts. We review which features suit punching and confirm the manufacturing route and finished requirements in the quote.
Review the feature pattern, material thickness, tool geometry and edge requirements to choose a practical process.
ISO 9001:2015SGS · CN24/00004900 ↗
DXF · STEP / STP · PDF
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01 / THE PROCESSProcessesHoles · slots · repeat patterns
MaterialsGrade · condition · thickness
Order stagesTool match → route review
AcceptancePitch · burr side · flatness
01 / Project fit
Start with the pattern.
One drawing can include features with very different manufacturing needs. A repeated hole pattern may suit punching, while an irregular outer profile may suit laser cutting. The route should account for flatness, burr orientation and downstream bending or assembly.
02 / Capabilities
Which process fits the feature pattern?
Punching shears an opening with a punch and die. The route depends on the geometry, material and feature pattern, as well as the edge condition and any operations that follow.
Laser cutting
Review for variable outlines, irregular openings or designs that are still changing. Confirm edge requirements and the effect of the cutting route on the finished part.
Metal stamping
Review dedicated tooling for stable, repeat parts that combine cutting and forming. Compare tool investment, validation needs and expected reorder quantities.
Features to flag in your drawing
Fastener holes and slots
Identify the mounting hardware, slot travel and primary locating features. Give the finished sizes where coating or fit matters.
Vents and perforation patterns
Specify pitch, open area where functional, and any solid margins for bends or fasteners. Mark the panel face that will be visible.
Access openings and keyholes
Show corner radii, mating geometry and the required edge condition. Review tool fit or laser cutting if the opening is irregular.
03 / Specifications
What we review before quoting.
Usable dimensions, tolerances and tooling are confirmed against the part geometry, material and finished condition.
- Stock and feature geometry
- Provide sheet grade, temper or condition, thickness and overall blank size. Mark hole and slot dimensions, pitch and distances to edges.
- Tooling and pattern
- Identify repeated and unique features. Hole size, slot width, radii and remaining web require review together with material, thickness and available tooling.
- Burr direction and flatness
- Distinguish feature size from positional tolerance. Specify datums, the permitted burr side and any flatness requirement on the finished panel.
- Bends, hardware and finish
- Show holes relative to bends and hardware in the formed model. Define coating, masking and the finished feature dimensions that matter.
04 / Materials
Specify grade, condition and thickness.
These material families are starting points for drawing review. Confirm the exact grade and stock condition for the job.
Aluminum sheet
Confirm grade and temper. Review visible-face marking and distortion around dense patterns or narrow webs, especially when the panel is formed later.
Carbon steel sheet
Specify the grade and whether stock is bare, galvanized or otherwise coated. For coated material, agree on acceptable marking and the treatment of exposed cut edges.
Stainless steel sheet
Specify the alloy, finish and grain direction where relevant. Include cosmetic face, edge condition and feature density for tooling and handling review.
05 / Finishing and secondary operations
Specify the finished part.
List downstream operations and the features they affect so they can be included in the quotation.
Deburring
Show which side can carry a burr and which surfaces touch a gasket, cable, mating part or operator. Confirm edge treatment before the quote is finalized.
Bending and hardware
Use the formed model to show hole-to-bend locations, hardware installation side and access. Confirm whether critical holes are measured in the flat or finished condition.
Finishing and masking
Define coating and color where applicable. Identify tight slots, hardware holes and contact surfaces that need masking or a finished-size check.
06 / Quality and inspection
Agree the acceptance criteria.
ProleanMFG's SGS-certified ISO 9001:2015 quality management scope is production of hardware accessories. Part-level checks are agreed against the order and drawing.
Hole pattern and datums
Specify the primary datum, center-to-center pitch and any position control. Identify which features align the finished part to its mating component.
Webs, edges and flatness
Show minimum ligaments on the drawing and mark flatness where it affects fit. Agree on which face and panel condition are used for inspection.
Burr direction and cosmetic face
Define the acceptable edge condition and the face to protect. If inspection reports or first-piece samples are required, include them when requesting the quote.
07 / Design guide
Resolve the issues that affect fit.
Pattern density and narrow webs
Closely spaced holes and small edge distances can affect the route and panel shape. Identify the areas where pitch, open area or strength cannot change.
Nonstandard slots and cutouts
Supply actual corner radii and functional clearances. Compare matched tooling, multiple hits and laser cutting where an opening does not suit a standard tool.
Formed features and protected faces
Call out formed features separately from through-holes, such as louvers or embosses. These require separate tooling and feasibility review. Identify prefinished faces that need protection during handling.
08 / From inquiry to delivery
Quote the drawing. Confirm the route.
The quotation defines the supplied condition, operations, inspection requirements and expected schedule.
01 / Send the part package
Share the model and current drawing revision, material, thickness, finish, first order and expected repeat quantities.
02 / Resolve open requirements
Review process choice, critical geometry, tooling or hardware, finish and inspection records. Agree how any exceptions will be documented.
03 / Confirm and inspect
Confirm the drawing revision and order scope before production. Agree what to inspect and how to protect finished parts for delivery.
09 / FAQ
Questions before you order.
Can you review both holes and slots on the same part?
Yes. Include the sizes, corner radii, spacing, thickness and desired edge condition. We review the tooling route and whether any features would be better cut separately.
What is the minimum hole size or spacing?
Minimum values depend on the material, thickness, geometry and available tooling. Show the smallest holes, closest spacing and distance to the edge so the pattern can be reviewed against your drawing.
Can a punched part also be bent or finished?
Include the formed geometry, critical positions and the finish specification. The quotation can cover a combined route after checking feature distortion, access and the required final dimensions.
How is punching different from stamping?
Punching creates an opening by shearing the sheet. Stamping is a broader set of press operations that can include punching, blanking and forming. The process choice depends on features, tooling and order pattern.
Can punching and laser cutting be quoted on the same part?
Share the complete profile and feature pattern. The quote can compare a single process with a combined route where the pattern, outline, tolerances or edge requirements justify it.
What drives the cost of a punched part?
Feature count, tool availability, stock, nesting, deburring, bending and order quantity affect cost. Include repeat demand and any special feature or inspection requirements in the RFQ.
From drawing to part
Send your drawing
for review.
Include material, quantity, critical features and finish. We can review the process and quote scope against your requirements.