CNC Turret Punching Services
Fast, repeatable punched parts
D&J Metalcraft Co. punches sheet metal on a Strippit CNC turret punch, best suited to 10 gauge to 18 gauge steel, stainless and aluminum. It is ideal for parts with many holes, slots, knockouts and louvers. D&J Metalcraft takes on work from small prototype batches all the way up to full production runs. Most of our work is short and mid-size runs, and we have the capacity for larger production volumes when you need them.
Email your drawing (PDF, DXF, STEP or SolidWorks .SLDPRT), material, thickness and quantity to info@djmetalcraft.com.
We are a contract, made-to-print shop at 4451 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, in business since 1975 and shipping nationwide.
Our turret: Strippit turret punch
- Stations: 24 tooling stations, with 2 auto-index
- Press force: 30 tons
- Max sheet size: 110" x 40"
- Best suited to: 10 gauge to 18 gauge material
- Punching tolerance: ±0.001"
- Materials: mostly stainless, mild steel and aluminum
What turret punching is best for
Hole patterns, slots, knockouts and louvers in 10 gauge to 18 gauge sheet. For computer server and data center sheet metal, that means vent patterns and knockouts in chassis, enclosures, brackets and racks.
Turret punching vs laser cutting: how we choose for your part
We have both a CNC turret punch and Trumpf fiber lasers, so we route each part to the better process. Punching is a strong fit for repeated hole patterns, louvers and knockouts in thinner sheet. Laser cutting suits complex outlines and thicker material. See our Laser Cutting page. Send your print and we will recommend one.
Finishing the part: forming, hardware insertion, welding, deburring
We offer hardware insertion (PEM nuts, studs and standoffs), drilling and tapping, deburring on our wide belt abrasive finishing machine, press brake forming, and welding and assembly. Finishing is available through our trusted partners: powder coating, wet paint, zinc plating, galvanizing, black oxide, anodizing, chrome plating, electroless plating and passivation. See also Contract Metal Fabrication.
Domestic punching vs overseas
- Shorter domestic lead times, as little as 1 week depending on job size
- Same time zone and direct communication with the shop
- Quality you can verify with first-article inspection reports
- No ocean freight or customs delays
- Small runs without large minimum order quantities
First-article inspection
First-article inspection reports are available. Each report lists every print dimension, its tolerance and the measured value.
Need tapped holes, countersinks or PEM hardware? We handle secondary operations in-house.
Related services: Laser Cutting, Press Brake Forming, Welding & Assembly, Contract Metal Fabrication
CNC punching FAQ
What is CNC turret punching?
CNC turret punching uses a computer-controlled press with a rotating turret of tools to punch holes, slots and shapes into sheet metal. It is fast and repeatable for parts with many features.
Is turret punching or laser cutting cheaper for my sheet metal part?
It depends on the part. Punching is usually a good fit for many repeated holes, louvers and knockouts in thinner sheet, while laser cutting suits complex outlines. We have both, so send your print and we will recommend the better process.
What thickness of sheet metal can a turret punch handle?
Our turret is best on 10 gauge to 18 gauge material. Thicker material may be better suited to our Trumpf fiber lasers.
Can a turret punch make louvers and knockouts?
Yes. Louvers and knockouts are a strong fit for turret punching, along with repeated hole patterns and slots in 10 gauge to 18 gauge sheet.
What tolerance does CNC punching hold?
We hold ±0.001" on punched features. For bend tolerances, see Press Brake Forming.
Can you add PEM nuts, studs and standoffs to punched parts?
Yes. We offer hardware insertion (PEM nuts, studs and standoffs), plus drilling and tapping.
Is there a minimum quantity for punched parts?
We take small runs without large minimum order quantities, from small prototype batches all the way up to full production runs.
Can you fabricate server chassis and data center enclosures with punched vent patterns?
Yes. We are highly capable with computer server and data center sheet metal, including chassis, enclosures, brackets and racks with vent patterns and knockouts.
Can you deliver finished, painted or plated parts?
Yes. Finishing is managed through our trusted partners (powder coating, wet paint, zinc plating, galvanizing, black oxide, anodizing, chrome plating, electroless plating and passivation), and machined components come from machining in-house and through our trusted partners, so you get finished parts on one PO.
Request a quote
Email your flat pattern or drawing to info@djmetalcraft.com and we'll recommend punch or laser and quote it. We accept PDF, DXF, STEP and SolidWorks .SLDPRT.