Shearing is a process of plastic distortion carried out on sheet metal whereby, using a punch and die, holes or complicated filled-in parts are impressed upon the sheet in a short time, and at a low cost.
In analysing the various phases of the process, firstly, the punch is lowered until it makes contact with the sheet metal, which initially distorts and curves, as it begins to penetrate the die.
Once the material reaches its breaking point, a break occurs and there is a separation.
The use of a press die prevents the sheet metal curving upwards (when the punch is being removed from the sheet) and avoids the formation of irregular, cutting borders.
Shearing is a phase in sheet metal processing which is used in certain situations as an alternative to punching, where the client has specific requirements.
Punching is considered the first phase in sheet metal processing and consists of the production of holes by putting pressure on a flat metal surface. It is used for cutting and making holes in aluminium or steel metal plates to a depth of up to 6mm, before going on to bend these.
There is the same end result. The difference lies in the necessity to use specific tools for shearing (in this instance, dies). The choice between the two processes is made on the basis of financial outlay, on the product’s life length, and/or on the number of parts requested by the client.
Indeed, specific tools represent an initial cost which is later absorbed due to the high economic saving made by shearing in its working phase.
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