The effects of tool geometry change on shearing edge finish in fine-blanking of different materials

An excellent quality of shearing edge implies that a smooth cutting edge without tearing will be observed on the whole edge surface. This is one of the most significant features of the fine-blanking process. To achieve this good blanking edge quality in fine-blanking, quite a large number of factors need to be considered simultaneously during the operation, such as blanking speed, processing material, product shape, lubrication and tool geometry. Thus, the objective of this paper is mainly to study the influence of tool geometry change in fine-blanking for different materials. This is because the nose radius usually seriously deteriorates with increasing service period in mass production, which eventually causes the entire loss of the specific features of the fine-blanking process. Therefore, a tailor-made experimental study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the punch nose radius and the shearing edge quality, such as the shearing edge surface finish, burr height and die-roll height, during fine-blanking for different types of materials. Consequently, findings show that an increase in the punch nose radius produces a higher percentage of fracture of the blanked edge and increases the amount of burr height.