10. Shearing, Blanking, and Piercing

Shearing and blanking are primary operations in sheet metal forming. This chapter first distinguishes between open shearing, blanking, and piercing. Then, open shearing is discussed with reference to its advantages and limitations. The working principles of hydraulic shearing machines are also explained. Blanking and piercing operations are compared and discussed with several sketches/illustrations, including the underlying geometric design parameters. Engineering analyzes of shearing, blanking, and piercing operations are presented with the aid of mathematical models. Progressive and compound dies for blanking and piercing operations are discussed, including recent advances in their technologies. This chapter contains 17 diagrams/figures, 36 worked numerical examples, 9 formulae/equations, 12 problems, and 5 MCQs with their answers given at the end of the book.