How thick can material be for fineblanking?

• As a general rule of thumb, the upper limit for thickness is about 0.625” (16mm) before surface finish and tool elements are compromised. Under some circumstances this limit may be increased, depending on the application and materials being considered.

How is fineblanking different from conventional stamping?

• The fineblanking process uses three concurrent forces rather than a single stamping force to control the flow of material throughout the process. The use of these multiple forces, in combination with tighter clearances between tool elements produces a process of cold form extrusion that translates to precise component features.

Can all of my part features be produced in the die or do I need additional finishing operations?

• The majority of parts produced by the fineblanking process are completed in the fineblank tool. Depending on the part features that are required, and taking into account the volume and life of a particular program, progressive tooling approaches can offer opportunities to expand the limits of what can be accomplished in the fineblank operation. Cost and time available to develop tools are factors that must be taken into account when considering more sophisticated tooling. For the purpose of addressing more sophisticated product needs that cannot be achieved within the fineblanking operation, MPI offers a wide range of value-added finishing operations.

Which MPI location can best service my needs?

• The choice of production location should take into account several variables, including product focus, geographical proximity to the customer, and available capacity.

Is fineblanking more costly than other processes such as conventional stamping or powder metal?

• No. Fineblanking is an excellent process to cost effectively produce precision components. While fineblanking precision is not required in all applications, it can offer considerable savings over other processes for components requiring strength, tight tolerances, difficult sections, clean finishes, and consistent repeatability.

Can fineblanking produce more than 2D flat components?

• Yes. Components with offsets have long been produced by the fineblank process using basic compound fineblank dies. Through continuous advancements in fineblanking technology, components are produced today that feature increasingly complex offsets, bends, and drawn sections that were not feasible in the past. Utilizing progressive tooling, components are sheared and formed in a series of stations, increasing component complexity within the fineblank process.