Perforation of material is accomplished by using mechanical means to penetrate, or “punch”, through material surface, leaving behind a hole of particular size and shape. In practice, perforated material typically consists of flat sheets that are modified by creating recurring patterns of punched shapes.
Implementation of perforated products into any project requires knowledge of the cost implications associated with specific metal configurations. It is important to understand the various characteristics of a sheet and the options available when specifying the product to be produced.
Before ordering custom perforated sheets, the buyer must typically specify these three traits:
There are many types of materials suitable for perforating, with what is most applicable for the specific projects dependent upon the material cost and properties. Commonly used materials for perforated metal are:
Material thickness is also important to consider, especially since the cost of fabricated pieces is typically derived from the “per pound” price of the material, and perforated pieces are no exception. The thinner the perforated sheets, the less material used to create the finished piece, and therefore the lower the price per piece.
In addition to simply saving on material cost, it is easier for shops to punch and work thin(ner) sheets than it is to machine thicker pieces, which creates an associated savings in production costs as well. It is important to remember, however, that decreasing the cross-section of the sheets by choosing a lesser thickness will create a decrease in the structural capacity of the sheet.
Utilization of higher-strength pieces can, in some cases, result in an overall reduction in the number of pieces that are required. The designer must balance material thickness versus structural requirements to ultimately decide on the best way to achieve a cost-efficient project.
Perforated product producers are able to create a wide array of hole shapes and patterns in material sheets through the use of standard and custom punches, computerized punching pattern programs and special fabrication techniques.
The end margin width on perforated sheets is normally zero, which means that there is no distance between the perforated patterns and the end of the sheet. This is known as an “unfinished pattern” and occurs when the punching continues to the ends of the sheet and the holes do not complete their last cut cleanly inside the sheet borders.
Stock sheets are most commonly available in an unfinished pattern configuration. It is also the least expensive way to fabricate a piece from scratch. If desired, a minimum margin width can be created on the ends, but require adjustments to the perforation process, resulting in more expensive sheets.
Knowing the exact specifications of your perforated product can help accelerate the project’s completion — and lets you know what to expect in terms of cost and timeline. To learn more about the factors that go into selecting your product, download our new eBook, Proper Selection for Perforated Products.
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