Fine Blanking and NamPower Brush Tools

Fine blanking is a manufacturing process that uses a combination of metal stamping and cold extrusion technologies to produce high-volume, high-precision parts. Using specially designed tooling and a triple action hydraulic press, manufacturers can produce metal parts with fully-sheared, straight-cut edges. Fine blanking is also used to manufacture components with small holes, excellent flatness, and thin web sections relative to material thickness. The process is highly-repeatable with little dimensional variation.

Fine Blanking for High-Volume Production

Invented in Germany during the 1920s, fine blanking was first used to produce cash registers, watches, and clocks. Since then, machine builders and manufacturers have made many technological advances in terms of both fine blanking tooling and fine blanking presses. Today, this highly-precise manufacturing method is used to make auto parts and electronic components. Fine blankers also mass produce knife blades, power tools, and multi-tool components.

Die Wear and Metal Burrs

Fine blanking equipment produces parts with near-zero clearance and precise tolerances. Over time, however, fine blanking dies wear out and impart sharp edges to metal surfaces. These extruded edges often contain burrs, unwanted pieces of metal that can injure material handlers, damage seals, increase mechanical wear, interfere with lubrication, and lead to premature part failure. Metal burrs that break free from fine blanked parts can also damage machinery and equipment.

Manual Burr Removal vs. Automated Deburring

Manual deburring is great for hobbyists, but this surface finishing operation can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. For the high-volume production of fine blanked auto parts and electronic components, manufacturers need a cost-effective alternative to hand tools. That’s why Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) offers NamPower™ abrasive disc brushes, professional-grade deburring tools for manual and automated machinery.

NamPower Industrial Brushes for Manufacturing

NamPower industrial brush tools integrate easily with machinery, CNC machining centers, transfer lines, and robotic cells. Made with a molded, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic base, these high-quality industrial brushes are designed for use with a flow-through coolant holder. By allowing coolant to flow from the brush center instead of supplying lubricant only from the outside, NamPower™ arbors provide improved cutting action and longer tool life.

How to Automate Deburring and Surface Finishing

NamPower brush tools enable fine blankers to perform deburring and surface finishing operations at the same time. Parts manufacturers can also use NamPower abrasive disc brushes for edge radiusing, parts cleaning, and rust removal. From metal finishing prior to plating to deburring after fine blanking, BRM’s NamPower brushes provide a total finishing solution. To learn more, watch the new How to Automate Deburring and Surface Finishing video from Brush Research Manufacturing.