Perforated Plates
The term “perforated plate” refers to any metal plate that has been punched by a tool or machine with holes or application-specific shapes designed in a sequence or pattern. In turn, typically, the word “plate” refers to thick metal planes. The thickness of these planes is not universally defined, nor does it have a set range. Rather, plane thickness is relatively defined, only holding meaning when one plane is compared to another.
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Applications of Perforated Plates
Perforated plates and other perforated metal products like perforated metal panels and perforated sheet metal are popular for use with many different commercial, consumer, and industrial applications, such as architecture, food and beverage, automotive, material development, construction, and chemical and energy. Of the applications within each of these categories, perforated plates tend to be chosen for the most demanding. This is because they are both thin enough to be easily punched with holes or decorative shapes and thick enough to resist the trauma of influences like impact.
Because of their great strength, perforated steel plates are favored for use with applications in which they can expect to be the recipient of the bearing of heavy loads or impact. Examples of such high impact applications include wall paneling and floor gratings. Metals like brass and copper can also be formed into thick planes and perforated, but they are much more expensive to manufacture than aluminum or steel, and thus they are less frequently used as perforated plates. When they are, however, they are generally thinner than other perforated plate products. Thus they are used with low demand applications only.
Examples of products that use or are made from perforated plates include:
- Fencing Screens
- Column Covers
- Metal Signage
- Outdoor Furniture
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Sorting Machines
- Radiator Grilles
- Ventilation Grids
- Anti-Slip Flooring
- Stair Treads
- Acoustic Panels
Perforated Plate Design and Customization
Perforated plates can be made from virtually any metal. Among the most commonly perforated metals are aluminum, steel, brass and copper. Perforated aluminum plates are not extremely strong, and are therefore used less frequently with highly demanding applications. However, perforated aluminum plates are quite resistant to corrosion and oxidation and lightweight. Therefore, it is especially popular for use with a variety of outdoor applications, such as decorative paneling and perforated metal seating. Perforated steel plates are as strong as perforated aluminum plates are weak.
Manufacturing Process of Perforated Plates
To create perforated plates, manufacturers may use a variety of perforating machines and/or tools. Included in this group are laser perforators, die punches, punching presses, sectional XY punching presses, rotary pinned perforation rollers or roller presses, and various handheld tools. Of these, punching presses and rollers presses are perhaps the most frequently chosen methods of perforation. They work quite similarly to one another; the process of each press begins when a thick metal plate is fed into it, through which it (the plate) moves as it is perforated. When at rest, punching presses sit in a retracted position. Manufacturers punch perforations by pushing down on the press, which is equipped with perforation tools, until it is extended into the metal plate. Roller presses leave perforations when a rolling beam, which is also equipped with several precisely shaped perforation tools, rolls over the metal and forces shapes into it. Because the tools attached to the rolling beam “punch” out perforations, roller presses can also be categorized as a punching method.
Punching presses and roller presses alike can be operated by hand, but they can also be designed in conjunction with computer controlled technology in order to become partially or fully automated. Automated perforation machines are far more popular and practical with many industrial manufacturers, especially those who wish to generate large volumes of high quality products. CNC technology allows manufacturers to create perforated plates with highly complex or intricate patterns that are punched out identically. Using automated machinery, manufacturers can also create perforated plate products with much closer tolerances. Manual machines and handheld tools are still used. Mainly, however, they are employed by small scale operations.
Choosing the Right Perforated Plate Manufacturer
To get the most useful and most durable perforated plate products for your application, it is important that you work with a well-reviewed and highly skilled manufacturer. To find a manufacturer that meets those requirements, take a look at the companies listed near the top of this page. With any one of them, you’re in good hands. Reach out today!