Sheet metal manufacturing relies heavily on punching. Punches are commonly used to cut holes in sheet metal for various attaching units such as nails and screws, but they can also be used for a variety of other purposes. Aside from the basic circular hole, punches can create a variety of forms depending on the application. Sheet metal punching is a very common metal fabrication procedure that is used to make a wide range of products. The procedure is relatively easy to follow. As metal sheets run through or under the press, a punching press machine punches designs into them. Sheet metal punching at Rockwood Machinery was done entirely by hand, but today's punching procedures are completed by powerful computer automated equipment programmed with matrices of standard or custom-designed shapes. Sheet metal punching is used to make a wide range of daily items. CNC programmed presses punch and cut the most difficult designs quickly and precisely, thanks to today's ever-increasing technical breakthroughs. It is one of the most fundamental and cost-effective processes used in metalworking today, being both versatile and flexible.
