Electrical energy analysis and potential environmental improvements of sheet metal punching processes

Abstract

Discrete part manufacturing processes, in particular non-conventional production processes, are still poorly documented in terms of environmental footprint. Within the separating processes, sheet metal punching processes have not been analyzed yet from environmental point of view. The present paper aims to contribute to filling this knowledge gap. In particular, two different punching machine tool architectures were analyzed. Following the previously developed CO2PE methodological approach, power studies and a preliminary time study have been performed in order to understand the contribution of each sub-unit towards the total energy demand. The influence of the most relevant process parameters (e.g. sheet thickness and punch perimeter) are analyzed regarding the required punching energy. Finally, several potential improvement strategies to reduce the punching energy consumption are reported.