.svg)
Flatness
The degree to which a sheared blank lies in a single plane without warping or curvature. Flatness is affected by material residual stress and blade condition and is important for dimensional accuracy in subsequent forming operations.
Flatness is a critical dimensional attribute that affects how a blank behaves in downstream forming and assembly operations. When a sheared blank is not flat, it can cause problems: in press braking, a warped blank will slip under the ram and produce inconsistent bend angles; in welding, warped pieces won't fit together properly and create fitup strain; and in stacking for shipping, warped parts waste space and look unprofessional.
Flatness is compromised by residual stress in the material (which is released during shearing), by improper clamping that allows the sheet to distort during cutting, and by excessive blade force that plastically deforms the surrounding material. Fabricators can improve flatness by using appropriate hold-down clamps, maintaining proper blade clearance, and understanding how different work materials and tempers respond to shearing stresses.
Price Your Project
Receive a free, custom quote for you project. Midwest Metal Fabrications can handle any job, small or large and is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Certified.