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Punching Force Calculator

Work out punching force instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Punching Force Calculator

Punching shears a cylindrical surface whose area is the hole perimeter times the material thickness, so force is pi x d x t x shear strength. Stripping the punch back out of the hole takes a further 5-10 percent, which the press and stripper plate must also supply.

Formulas

Punching force

F = pi x d x t x shear strength

Stripping force

F strip = about 0.07 x punching force

Worked example

With the default values below, Punching Force Calculator returns Punching force required of 32.99. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Hole diameterminimum 0.1 mm
10 mm
Material thicknessminimum 0.1 mm
3 mm
Material shear strengthminimum 10 MPa
350 MPa

Results

Punching force required
32.99 kN
Force in tonnes
3.36 t
Area sheared
94.2 mm²
Stripping force
2.31 kN

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Punching force
  3. 3Stripping force
  4. 4Punching force required= 32.99 kN
  5. 5Force in tonnes= 3.36 t
  6. 6Area sheared= 94.2 mm²
  7. 7Stripping force= 2.31 kN

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Punching Force figure worked out?

F = pi x d x t x shear strength. Punching shears a cylindrical surface whose area is the hole perimeter times the material thickness, so force is pi x d x t x shear strength.

Why should the hole not be smaller than the thickness?

Below a diameter-to-thickness ratio of about one, the punch is loaded in compression beyond its buckling strength and breaks. Thicker material needs proportionally larger holes.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 3 inputs: Hole diameter, Material thickness, Material shear strength. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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