CNC Punching Hard Alloys from VT machining delivers precision Hard Alloys parts produced to your exact drawing. CNC turret punching shears holes and form features in sheet metal using programmable tooling for fast, repeatable patterns, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Hard Alloys, which is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials.
CNC Punching Capability for Hard Alloys
- Sheet thickness 0.5–6 mm
- Hole position repeatability ±0.10 mm
- Punch/die clearance set per material
- Louver, emboss and tap-extrude tooling
Hard Alloys Material Data
| Density | 14.5 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 2000–3500 (TRS) MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | — |
| Hardness | 88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV |
| Melting point | 2870 (WC) °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70–100 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 10% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | YG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11 |
Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.
How CNC Punching Hard Alloys Works
A CNC turret presses hardened punches through the Hard Alloys sheet into matching dies. Punch-to-die clearance is set as a percentage of thickness so the cut edge stays clean and burr is minimal.
Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Punching Hard Alloys
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Hole position across sheet | ±0.15 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Overall blank size | ±0.20 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Minimum hole | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Hole-to-edge distance | 2.0 × thickness | 1.5 × thickness |
| Burr height | 0.08 mm | 0.03 mm (deburred) |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5–6.0 mm | 0.5–3.0 mm |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for CNC Punching Hard Alloys
We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Keeping hole-to-edge and hole-to-hole distances at least 1.5–2× thickness avoids distortion and tearing in punched Hard Alloys. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Punching Quality & Inspection
We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Hard Alloys part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Finished Hard Alloys parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.
CNC Punching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Punched Hard Alloys holds hole-position repeatability around ±0.10 mm across the sheet, with consistent hole quality when punch/die clearance is matched to the gauge.
Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.
Working with Hard Alloys
As a material, Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.
We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.
Applications of CNC Punching Hard Alloys
Customers order CNC Punching Hard Alloys components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.
How to Order CNC Punching Hard Alloys
Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.
Parts We Have Run in Hard Alloys
Three representative CNC Punching Hard Alloys jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Shim washer
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- Ø20 / Ø10 × 0.5 mm
- Key callouts
- ID/OD ±0.05 mm, burr < 0.03 mm
- Batch
- 25,000 pcs
Clearance set at 6% of thickness per side to keep the burr under spec without deburring.
Louvred cover
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 350 × 200 × 1.2 mm
- Key callouts
- Louvre height 4 ±0.3 mm
- Batch
- 2,000 pcs
Louvre tooling forms and cuts in one hit; the direction is set by the airflow spec.
Ventilation panel
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 600 × 400 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- 1,800 × Ø5 mm holes, position ±0.10 mm
- Batch
- 900 pcs
Punched with a multi-tool head; laser-cutting 1,800 holes would cost several times as much.
Finishing Options for Hard Alloys
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Punching Hard Alloys
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Hard Alloys grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Punching
Other Processes for Hard Alloys
Send the drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does CNC Punching Hard Alloys require dedicated tooling?
Punching uses programmable turret tooling; standard tools cover most patterns, with special tools added for unique forms.
Can VT machining make custom Hard Alloys parts to my drawing?
Yes. Hard Alloys Hard Alloys punching is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
Why is Hard Alloys a good choice for CNC Punching?
Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials, which makes it well suited to CNC Punching. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Hard Alloys punching part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Punching on Hard Alloys?
Punched Hard Alloys edges are clean when punch/die clearance is correct; we set clearance to the gauge and can add deburring if specified.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Punching Hard Alloys?
Punching suits Hard Alloys sheet roughly 0.5–6 mm thick, with clearance matched to the gauge.