What is blanking in stamping and what factors affect blank quality?

Blanking is cutting flat shapes (blanks) from sheet metal coils to feed subsequent forming operations. It can occur at separate blanking lines or as the first operation in progressive dies. Factors affecting quality include: Die clearance (percentage of sheet thickness between punch and die), cutting edge sharpness, material properties, blank holder force, and cutting speed. Proper clearance produces a clean shear zone with minimal rollover, burr, and breakout. Blanking lines use stacking and destacking systems for material handling. Modern blanking may use laser cutting for flexibility or servo presses for precision.