Perforated Metals—Technical Aspects of Punching Technology

Updated On: 11/2/2026

Metal perforation is an important modern process that is achieved through various methods, the most efficient and useful is press and punch perforation forming. To fulfill various requirements, manufacturers have access to a number of techniques that fall under the press and punch perforation umbrella. Below, we will describe three of them at length: wide press, sectional press and automatic nibbling machines. Other perforated metals methods that we will not describe include: plate shearing, folding, welding, leveling, rounding and surface polishing.

Key Takeaways: Perforated Metals—Technical Aspects of Punching Technology

• Press and punch perforation remains one of the most efficient methods for producing perforated metal, offering manufacturers multiple techniques to balance production speed, cost, and customization requirements.
• Wide press perforation is often preferred for high-volume production, delivering fast processing speeds and cost efficiency for large runs of perforated metal products.
• Sectional press and automatic nibbling technologies provide greater flexibility for custom patterns and specialized applications, particularly when working with thicker materials or lower production volumes.
• Secondary operations such as leveling, shearing, bending, welding, polishing, and surface finishing help transform perforated sheets into finished components that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.

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Wide Press

The most common perforation technique is wide press perforation, popular because it is most cost-effective and efficient method available. In wide press, the entire width of the plate is punched with every strike of the die, and a punch row or rows work simultaneously as the plate traverses the machine.

Wide press is considered the best option for high volumes of metal because it is a rapid process that commonly produces stress faults. Its tooling cost is also high. A leveler is used to fix these faults or distortions. With it, stress errors are removed through flattening. Since leveling does not adhere to a standard procedure protocol, strategy depends on the location of the perforated and non-perforated areas.

Sectional Press

To work on a small section or area, many choose the sectional press method, which, while carrying a lower production rate, is less expensive than wide pressing. Section pressing is also used for thick plates, up to 20 mm, because it takes fewer punches. Section presses may be connected to CNC equipment that pre-programs patterns and perforation areas. This allows for well-made, tailored products.

Automatic Nibbling Machines

The final technique that this article will discuss at length is the automatic nibbling technique. Automatic nibbling machines share one major feature with sectional pressing, which is that they work only sectionally. This is where the similarities end. Automatic nibbling machines are automated, with tools that change out on their own. Also, they make economical perforations by nibbling the contours. If needed, they can also finish the outer plate of contours.

The other processes involved in manufacturing of metal plates are leveling, plate shearing, and folding, welding, surface polishing, and rounding. For shearing, a straight plate shearer is typically used, however, in some high-precision processing, lasers are used. For bending, a CNC machine is commonly used, which suits even complex profiles. For welding, either a metal inert gas (MIG) or a tungsten inert gas (TIG) is used.

To post process the surface of plate, grinding and brushing techniques are typically employed. Sometimes, for different applications, the plate is polished—either mechanically or with the use of electric methods—and then degreased and blasted with beads and sand.

Modern perforated metal manufacturing relies on a combination of specialized perforation technologies and finishing processes to produce components that meet a wide range of industrial requirements. From high-volume wide press production to CNC-controlled sectional punching and automated nibbling systems, manufacturers can select the approach that best aligns with production goals, material specifications, and design requirements.

The addition of secondary processes such as leveling, welding, forming, grinding, and polishing further expands the versatility of perforated metals, allowing them to serve applications across construction, manufacturing, filtration, material handling, architecture, and processing industries.

Partner With an Experienced Perforated Metals Manufacturer

Whether your project requires standard perforated sheets, custom perforation patterns, fabricated components, or finished metal assemblies, working with an experienced perforated metal supplier can help ensure quality, consistency, and manufacturing efficiency. Contact our team today to discuss your specifications and discover the right perforated metal solution for your application.