What this calculator does
Sheet metal punch force works out force needed to punch a hole through sheet metal, from the hole perimeter and material. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaPunch force = hole perimeter × material thickness × shear strength
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Hole perimeter (mm) | A number, measured in mm. Starts at 94.2. |
| Material thickness (mm) | A number, measured in mm. Starts at 2. |
| Shear strength (MPa (N/mm²)) | A number, measured in MPa (N/mm²). Starts at 310. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with hole perimeter
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while hole perimeter varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.