CNC sheet metal punching
We punch perforations, embossed features and formed shapes in sheet metal with CNC tooling — particularly efficient on repetitive parts with many operations.
Perforations · Formed features · Embossing
What is CNC punching?
Punching works by shearing and forming with tooling: a tool comes down on the sheet and produces the hole or feature in one stroke. When a part repeats the same operation many times — a grille, a perforated panel, a row of fixing holes — this process is highly efficient.
Beyond holes, punching does things laser cutting cannot: embossing, formed countersinks, ribs, louvres and other features that deform the material rather than simply remove it.
Catà Germans installed one of the first CNC punching machines in the area in the late 1980s, and the process remains one of the workshop's core capabilities.
Materials and thicknesses for CNC punching
Metals and sheet thicknesses we work with as standard. If your industrial project needs a material that is not in the table, say so in your enquiry and our engineering office will confirm whether we can handle it.
This service works with the same materials and thicknesses as the rest of the plant. The full table is on the Sheet metal laser cutting page.
CAD file formats accepted for quoting
- DXF
- DWG
- STEP / STP
- STL
- IGS / IGES
- PNG
- JPG
With DXF, DWG or STEP we work straight from your file geometry: no need to redraw the part, and the quote comes back sooner.
We do more than check the drawing: we advise you on nesting (how the sheet is used) so you get the lowest possible price per part before anything is cut.
How our engineering office works
If you would rather not fill in the form, send the drawing straight to cata@catagermans.com.
Confidential handling. Your drawings are only used to prepare the technical assessment and are not shared with third parties. If you need a signed non-disclosure agreement, send it over.
Technical capabilities for CNC punching
| Control | CNC punching machines with interchangeable tooling |
|---|---|
| Operations | Perforations, formed features, embossing and local forming |
| Materials | Sheet in the materials and thicknesses of the laser cutting table |
| Volumes | Particularly suited to batches and repetitive parts |
Applications and types of custom metal parts
- Perforated sheet and ventilation grilles.
- Parts with large numbers of repeated holes.
- Embossed and ribbed features formed in sheet.
- Seats for self-clinching fasteners.
- Batches where the same pattern repeats part after part.
Sectors we manufacture for
We manufacture for industrial companies across very different sectors. These are some of the most common ones, but not the only ones: if yours is not listed, tell us about the part and we will confirm whether we can make it.
- Automotive
- Food industry (stainless steel)
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction
- Steel structures
- Energy
- Street furniture
Why work with Catà Germans
- Every process under one roof
- Cutting, forming, machining, welding and finishing in the same plant. We handle the whole logistics side so you receive the parts palletised and protected at your own factory, anywhere in Catalonia and the surrounding area, on the agreed lead time.
- In-house engineering office
- We review the drawing before manufacturing and prepare production from CAD/CAM. If something does not add up, we ask you instead of interpreting it ourselves. And if what you have is a sketch or a question, we will help with that too: advice is part of the service.
- From drawing to finished product
- Some finishes, such as painting or zinc plating, are done with specialist workshops. We handle the coordination and deliver with our own fleet: a single order and a part ready to fit.
- Raw material in stock
- We keep sheet and tube permanently in stock, so many standard jobs can start without waiting for material.
- Over 65 years of the trade
- A family business founded in 1958, specialised in industrial subcontracting of metal parts. You deal directly with the people who make the part.
Frequently asked questions
When is punching better than laser cutting?
As a rule of thumb: the laser suits complex outlines, varied parts and thicker material; punching pays off when the same operation repeats many times or the material needs forming. When we receive the drawing we assess which process suits your part and tell you.
Can you produce embossed and formed features?
Yes. That is one of the differences from laser cutting: punching can form the material locally, not just remove it.
Can it be combined with bending and tapping?
Yes, that is the usual flow. A punched part can continue to bending, tapping or fastener insertion within the same plant.
Which file formats do you accept?
We accept PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP/STP, STL, IGS/IGES and also PNG or JPG images. If you do not have a final drawing yet, send us a dimensioned sketch and we will review it all the same.
Do you make one-off parts or only production runs?
We handle one-off parts and prototypes as well as small, medium and large batches and repeat production. You can specify this in the quote request.
How quickly do you reply to an enquiry?
We send the technical response as soon as possible once we have the drawing and the part details.
Do you offer painting, zinc plating or other surface finishes?
You can include them in the order. These finishes are carried out with specialist workshops we work with regularly, but we handle the coordination and the transport: you place a single order and receive the finished part.
Can I combine several processes in one part?
Yes — that is the normal way we work. A part can go through laser cutting, bending, welding and finishing inside the same plant, under a single order and a single point of contact.
Request information or a quote
Send us the drawing and the part details and we will come back with a technical answer as soon as possible.
Reply as soon as possible