Die Cut Aluminum Sheet
This weakens the aluminium and creates a fracture line.
Die cut aluminum sheet. To cut the sheets of metal rathe. The general rule for cutting materials is the softer the metal the smaller the cutting clearance. Cutting with tin snips. With the aid of a straight edge and a sharp knife score both sides of the aluminium sheet.
Steel rule die also known as cookie cutter dies are used for cutting sheet metal and softer materials such as plastics wood cork felt fabrics and paperboard. Sheet aluminium can be cut without the need for a guillotine or tin snips which tend to deform the metal. Improper clearance will reduce the die service life or burrs and lead to secondary cutting the irregular opening will increase the demounting force etc. To reduce the production of slivers the severity of friction at the point where the two surfaces interface must be reduced.
Cutting aluminum sheet metal with a hammer and chisel is relatively straight forward line up the edge of the chisel along the line you wish to cut and strike the chisel with a hammer. Slivers are the result of the aluminum interfacing with the cutting sections or punches. Aluminum can be anodized to strengthen its corrosion resistance create a harder surface and provide a decorative finish when appearance is necessary. Die cut products stocks a variety of aluminum grades and tempers such as h12 h14 h19 t2 t4 and many others.
Check out this video. If you re cutting a line in a sheet of aluminum you can skip the vice and cut your way down the sheet on a flat surface. Use wood as a backing piece to help push the chisel through the metal and prevent the chisel s tip from wearing. Aluminum is non magnetic and provides good thermal and electrical conductivity.
Method 3 of 3. Tired of getting fingers cut on sheet metal while using tin snips. Using a softer piece of material such as wood as a backer will allow the chisel to push through the metal and prevent wear on the chisel s tip. Instead we recommend using a diamond blade that s rated to cut ferrous metal.
These steel rules are usually located using saw or laser cut grooves in plywood. The cutting surface of the die is the edge of hardened steel strips known as steel rule.