Computer numerically controlled (CNC) turret punch press is a sheet metal fabrication process performed by CNC punch press.
These machines can be either a tool rail (trumpf) and design and single head or a multi-tool turret design. The CNC punching machine is basically programmed to move a sheet of metal in the x and y direction to position the sheet under the punching ram ready of the machine in order to punch a hole or form.
The processing range for most CNC punch presses is 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm thick in a range of materials including steel, Galv, Zintec, stainless steel and aluminum. Punched holes can range from as simple as a circle or rectangle to more complex shapes to fit a particular cut out pattern.
Using a combination of single hit and overlapping geometries, complex sheet metal component shapes can be produced. The machine can also punch 3D forms on either side of the sheet such as dimples, Taptite® screw thread plunges, and electrical knockouts, which are often employed in sheet metal enclosure designs.
Some modern machines may have the ability to bend small tabs, tap threads, punch shear edges without a tool to witness marks, making the machine very productive within component cycle times.
The instruction to drive the machine to produce the desired component geometry is known as a CNC program.
CNC Turret Punch Press Tooling
Thick Turret Tooling
- Basic type, most popular tooling series
- Economic tooling, more stable performance
- Punch Length 207.5mm, Punch Assembly 209.5mm
- Punch only 2.5mm grinds
- Standard and air blow type
- Customized manufacturing equipment
- Thick turret tooling suitable for PrimaPower, LVD, Amada, Durma, Euromac Pulmax, Ermarksum.
Murata Tooling
- 114 Series
- Vulcan Series
- Making tools of various shapes
- Suitable tooling for Muratec machines
Trumpf Tooling
- Supply Various Type, STD Type
- Bossart, Haco, Pullmax
- Customized manufacturing equipment
- Fully Suitable Tooling for Trumpf Machine
- 2.4.1 Types, Multi-tools, Parting Tools, Cartridges and Accessories
Salvagnini Tooling
- All STD Sizes only for Salvagnini Machines
Thin Turret Tooling
- Suitable for Strippit punching machine
- Amada Thin Turret Machine.
Forming Tools
- CLUSTER
- COUNTERSINK
- EXTRUSION TAPPING
- DIMPLE
- EMBOSS
- BEAD
- EMBOSS EXTRUSION
- EMBOSS COUNTERSINK
- SHEAR BUTTON
- SINGLE KNOCKOUT
- DOUBLE KNOCKOUT
- MARKING
- LOGO STAMPING
- BRIDGE
- LANCE AND FORM
- LOUVER
- HINGLE
- THREAD LOOP
- THREAD SCREW
- EXPANDED-METAL
- DRIPS
- SKIN TEXTURE
- EXPANDED -META
How Does a CNC Turret Punch Machine Work?
The CNC Turret Punching Machine is a versatile automatic machine that can respond to rapid product modifications.
The machining process entails a number of operations and steps, and the relative displacement between the tool and the workpiece can be measured through a digital control media represented by a code (such as paper tape or disc) for sending digital information to a specialized or general computer, operating the computer processing and inputting information, issuing various instructions to control a machine’s servo system or other working components so that the machine automatically processes the required parts or products.
What is a CNC Punching Machine Used For?
A CNC punching machine is a machine that performs punching, the operation that makes holes and cuts in a sheet of metal.
To conduct this approach, the CNC punching machine has a variety of specialised equipment, including a punch, gripper, and matrix.
As long as the geometry of the component allows it, CNC punching is the greatest alternative to laser cutting for a balance of price and quality.
What Can Be Made Using CNC Punching?
There is no limit to the materials that can be CNC machined; From stainless steel to brass, from plastic to wood, they can all be punched.
Machine thickness ranges from 0.5mm to 6.0mm, so as long as the material falls within this range, it can be machined.
There is no limit to the choice of designs and patterns. You don’t have to stick to regular circles or rectangles, designs can also be cut to your specifications.
CNC punching machines can use single hits, overlapping geometries, and many different tools to produce the most complex shapes.
Advantages Of CNC Machine
Increased Productivity
Once a design is selected and built, it can be used over and over again increasing productivity by eliminating repetitive technical and intensive manual processes.
Speed and Accuracy
This automation and repeatability also makes this method faster, reducing overall production time no matter how complex the design.
Accuracy is not compromised, in fact CNC machines are generally used for the most precise and complex shapes and machining.
Efficiency
CNC punching machines are fast and accurate as well as reduce the amount of waste generated.
With many machines having an internal quality detector installed, when a defect is found, the machine will stop punching to avoid any waste.
Safe and Cost Effective
Since waste is kept to a minimum, this saves money in the long run as no raw material will be thrown away.
Also, since the entire process is automated, the operator is kept safe while providing a risk free environment.
CNC Machine Disadvantages
- CNC machines are more expensive than manually operated machines, although the cost is gradually coming down.
- The CNC machine operator only needs basic training and skill, which is enough to supervise multiple machines. In years past, engineers required years of training to operate the center’s lathes, milling machines and other manually operated machines. This means that many old skills are being lost.
- CNC machines require fewer workers to operate as compared to manually operated machines. Investing in CNC machines can lead to unemployment.
- Many countries no longer teach students how to use a manually operated lathe/milling machine etc. Students no longer develop the detailed skills required by the engineers of the past. These include mathematical and engineering skills.
Things to Keep in Mind When Designing for CNC Sheet Metal Punching
The hole diameter should preferably be no smaller than the sheet metal gauge being CNC punched.
Submerged forms from parent sheet metal with tapped holes can save money when replacing threaded inserts.
Ready to TapTight screws can save money on the cost of masking threads for parent sheet metal to plunge from threaded inserts and paint components.
These characteristics enable a self-tapping screw to cut through more material than a sheet metal gauge, reducing the risk of thread separation if the screw is tightened.
Cluster tools can be used for multiple holes to reduce CNC punching time and save money on repeated batches of sheet metal work.
The tool can have as many different punches, making 1000 holes a minute. These CNC tools can be especially effective when producing perforated features such as ventilation areas, speaker grilles, LED panels or light fittings.
Engraving tools can be used to identify parts with parts names, problem levels, customer or product names. Often when manufacturing sheet metal fabrication for a customer they want to be able to identify the part in their store area or production.
Sheet metal parts that are then used in the field may need to be identified for parts and servicing, CNC engraving can be a useful solution.
If large quantities of parts are required a dedicated CNC tool stamp can be used, but if there is a range of different sheet metal parts and only small to medium volumes then the CNC engraving on our Trumpf 3000R is the most efficient solution.
An added benefit of using a CNC punch press to perform this engraving is any change in the information required by the customer in their part number; Issue level etc can be simply reprogrammed at no cost.
Customers often want to buy products in batch sizes to get the right price, but in doing so they may not have enough space to store the entire product until it is used up. One solution to this problem may be a simple ‘flat pack’ design.
The component can be weakened by CNC punching a series of slots in the sheet metal, so the assembly is easier to bend by hand. The same principle can be used for earth tags where a quick push with a screwdriver is sufficient for the tag to stand off the surface of the sheet and allow the earth terminal to be screwed into place.
Toy tags can be used instead of screws to aid in assembling small lightweight parts. These characteristics are frequently useful for developing light fitting reflectors.
Where the finished part does not require any great force and the parent sheet metal can be bent easily with your fingers, toy tags can be a useful design solution.
Toy tag assembly can also be a useful method of assembly in production if you want to receive your parts as a flat pack kit and clip all the parts together.
This can also be helpful if you have multiple designs with common parts that can be stocked and used as one order each for a type.