A sheet metal forming defect where the rim of a drawn cylindrical part develops undulating peaks and valleys instead of remaining flat. It is caused by planar anisotropy in the sheet metal, meaning the material flows more easily in certain directions due to the grain alignment created during earlier rolling processes. The ears must be trimmed off, resulting in material waste.
We're getting severe earing on this batch of deep drawn cans, so we need to check the rolling direction of the incoming coil.
Related terms
Blanking
A sheet metal cutting operation that punches out a flat profile from a larger piece of stock.
Cold roll
To pass metal through rollers at ambient temperature to reduce its thickness and increase its strength.
Blankholder
A clamping ring or plate that grips the edges of sheet metal during deep drawing.