Deep Drawing: A metal sheet is placed between a male and female die and subjected to compression molding to create hollow shapes; the resulting depth can vary from shallow to deep.
Punching: A process utilizing specialized tools to cut specific shapes out of a metal sheet; this technique is suitable for both small-batch and mass production.
Blanking: Fundamentally similar to the punching process, the distinction lies in the fact that punching utilizes the material removed by the die, whereas blanking utilizes the remaining portion of the metal sheet after the cut has been made.
Shearing: The process of cutting a metal sheet using a shearing action-analogous to using a pair of scissors to cut paper at a precise location.
Chip-Forming: A collective term for cutting methods that generate metal chips during the material removal process; these techniques include milling, drilling, turning, grinding, sawing, and similar operations.
Non-Chip-Forming: The process of shaping metal using existing metal strips or sheets without generating any metal chips. This category of techniques encompasses chemical processing, etching, electrical discharge machining (EDM), abrasive blasting, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, thermal cutting, and similar methods.
