CNC Punching Steel from VT machining delivers precision Steel 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 Steel, which is strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades.
CNC Punching Capability for Steel
- Sheet thickness 0.5–6 mm
- Hole position repeatability ±0.10 mm
- Punch/die clearance set per material
- Louver, emboss and tap-extrude tooling
Steel Material Data
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 585 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 450 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1420–1460 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 11.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 9% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 57% |
| Grades we run | 1018, 1045, 1215, A36, S45C, St37, 4140 (see alloy steel) |
Published typical values for 1045. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Rust. Bare steel flash-rusts within hours in a humid container, so parts are oiled or passivated before packing unless you specify otherwise.
How CNC Punching Steel Works
A CNC turret presses hardened punches through the Steel 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.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Punching Steel
| 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.
CNC Punching Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Steel parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Working with Steel
Steel is strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
CNC Punching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Punched Steel holds hole-position repeatability around ±0.10 mm across the sheet, with consistent hole quality when punch/die clearance is matched to the gauge.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Design Tips for CNC Punching Steel
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping hole-to-edge and hole-to-hole distances at least 1.5–2× thickness avoids distortion and tearing in punched Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Punching Steel
Steel parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Punching Steel
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Steel grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Steel
Three representative CNC Punching Steel 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.
Ventilation panel
- Material
- Steel
- 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.
Cable tray section
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- 1,000 × 150 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Slot pattern ±0.15 mm
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Nested two-up along the sheet; scrap drops below 12%.
Contact blank
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- 18 × 9 × 0.3 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.05 mm, burr-free on the contact face
- Batch
- 50,000 pcs
Punched with the burr deliberately on the non-contact side.
Finishing Options for Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Black oxide | 1–2 µm | Mild corrosion resistance, no dimensional change |
| Zinc plate + clear/yellow | 5–12 µm | ASTM B633, general corrosion protection |
| Nickel plate (electroless) | 10–25 µm | Uniform in bores, 500 HV after bake |
| Phosphate | 5–10 µm | Paint key, mild lubricity |
| Powder coat | 60–120 µm | RAL colours |
| 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 Steel
- 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 Steel 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 Steel
Send the drawing, the Steel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Punching Steel?
CNC Punching prototypes for Steel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Punching Steel?
Punching suits Steel sheet roughly 0.5–6 mm thick, with clearance matched to the gauge.
What is CNC Punching Steel and how is it done?
CNC Punching Steel refers to cNC turret punching shears holes and form features in sheet metal using programmable tooling for fast, repeatable patterns. Applied to Steel — strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Can VT machining make custom Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. Steel Steel 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.