In sheet metal forming, blanking is the first step where a heavy press drives a punch through sheet stock into a die, shearing out a flat piece. The punched-out piece is the desired product, known as the blank, which will be bent or drawn in subsequent operations. The remaining material surrounding the punch is scrap.
Heard on the job
We need a sharper die for the blanking press because these edges are coming out with too much burr.
Insider tip
Blanking keeps the punched piece; piercing keeps the surrounding sheet and scraps the punched piece.