Perforated material punched with slots

Material Selection -

· Aluminum 3003H14	· Inconel 600
· Aluminum 5005H32	· Monel 400
· Aluminum 5005H34	· Polypropylene
· Aluminum 5052H34	· NS 280 Brinnel Steel
· Aluminum 6061T6	· Plain Steel
· Brass	· Pre-Galvanized
· Bronze	· PVC Gray
· Copper	· Stainless Steel 304-L
· Galvanized	· Stainless Steel 304
· Hastelloy C	· Stainless Steel 316-L
· High-Carbon Steel	· Stainless Steel 316
· Hot Rolled and Pickled and Oiled	· Titanium

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Hole Pattern


Hole pattern is the arrangement of the slots on a sheet—either straight row or end or side staggered. The long dimension of the slots can be punched parallel to the width or to the length of the sheet (see slot direction).

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Slot Size


Slot size is the slot’s length and width. McNICHOLS has a wide range of slot hole sizes in stock and can special order any slot size required as long as it meets minimum slot size requirements.

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Minimum Slot Width

As a rule of thumb, the slot width should be at least the same size as the thickness of the perforated material or larger. Preferably, the width should be at least twice the size of the material thickness. As the slot width approaches the material thickness, the higher probability of tool failure. Modifications can be made in certain instances at additional costs. For stainless steel and similar higher-strength materials, it is preferable to specify a slot width at least three times the thickness of the material.

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Side Centers


Side Center is the distance between adjacent slots measured parallel to the slot’s length. Centers is one of two measures of perforation spacing. The other is open area. Because side centers and open area measure essentially the same attribute (perforation spacing), you only need to specify one or the other, not both. End centers

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Open Area

Perforated sheets contain holes and material. Open area is the total area of the holes divided by the total area of the sheet and is expressed as a percent. In other words, open area describes how much of a sheet is occupied by holes. If a perforated sheet has 60 percent open area, then 60 percent of the sheet is holes and 40 percent is material.

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Thickness or Gauge


Thickness is the measurement from the top surface to bottom surface of the material. Gauge is the most common measurement, but thickness can also be measured in fractional inches or millimeters. This gauges and weights chart can provide additional information.

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End Patterns


End pattern is the pattern of the perforations at the beginning and the end of the sheet. End patterns are either finished or unfinished. An unfinished end pattern is standard. A finished end pattern requires special tooling and is typically more expensive.

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End/Side Bar Width


Bar width is the distance between the edge of one slot to the edge of the nearest slot. Because slots are asymmetrical, there are two bar width measurements: end bar and side bar. When you specify bar widths, make sure your specifications meet the guidelines for minimum bar width.

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Guidelines for Minimum Bar Width

As a rule of thumb, the bar width should larger than the thickness or gauge of the material. Preferably, the bar will be at least twice the material’s thickness. For stainless steel and similar higher-strength materials, specify a bar width at least three times the material thickness.

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End Shape

End shape is the shape of the slot ends, either round or square.

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Slot Direction

The long side of the slot is parallel to either the length or width.

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Length and Width


Length is the overall measurement of the long side of the piece; width is the overall measurement of the short side of the piece. Note that mill tolerances for length and width apply to stock sheets unless otherwise specified. If you have a stock sheet cut-to-size, cut tolerances apply. If you want to specify other than standard tolerances, you must use the Quote Form (see link in left column) to specify the exact tolerances you desire.

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End Center


The End Center is the distance between adjacent slots measured parallel to the slot’s width. End centers can be used in place of side centers.

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Quantity

Quantity is the number of full sheets or cut pieces you need. Unless otherwise specified, the standard tolerance on quantity is Exact Quantity. In other words, McNICHOLS will deliver the exact quantity you specify.

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Margins

Margins are the blank (unperforated) area along the edges of the sheet. For stock sheets, the standard is minimum margins along the length and no margins along the width.

To specify other than standard margins, use the perforated Slot hole pattern quote form. Provide the width of each margin on all four sides (measured from the edge of the sheet to the edge of the first hole) and the direction to which the margin is parallel (side or length dimension). Manufacturing considerations may affect margins. If the margins requested are not possible, the quote you receive will specify the new margins.

Below is an example of a margin specification based on the illustration to the right:

Margins:
· 0.25 inch margins parallel to both 25 inch dimensions
· 0.50 inch margins parallel to both 48 inch dimensions

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Margins on Cut Pieces

When stock sheets are cut to a smaller size, the cut pieces will have no margins.

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Tolerances

There are tolerances on quantity, shearing, circle shearing, flatness, thickness, and squareness for perforated products. If you do not specify a specific tolerance, the standard tolerance applies. Tolerances can be specified on the perforated square hole pattern quote form.

More information on tolerances.

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Item

Description

Qty

1620632231

McNICHOLS� Quality Perforated Metal, Slotted Pattern, Plain Steel Cold Rolled, 22 Gauge, .2000" x .637" Square End Slot, Straight Row, Slot Side Bar: 1/4", Slot End Bar: 1/4", Long Way of Opening Parallel to: Width, Side Margins: None", End Margins: Mill", 74% Open Area, Sheet, 36.0000" Width x 120.0000" Length
Add to cart to see price. Click here to cut this item to size

1688002238

McNICHOLS� Quality Perforated Metal, Slotted Pattern, Plain Steel Cold Rolled, 22 Gauge, .1250" x .75" Round End Slot, Side Staggered, Slot Side Bar: 1/8", Slot End Bar: 1/8", Long Way of Opening Parallel to: Length, Side Margins: None", End Margins: Mill", 41% Open Area, Sheet, 36.0000" Width x 96.0000" Length
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1689001631

McNICHOLS� Quality Perforated Metal, Slotted Pattern, Plain Steel Cold Rolled, 16 Gauge, .1250" x 1" Round End Slot, Side Staggered, Slot Side Bar: 1/8", Slot End Bar: 1/8", Long Way of Opening Parallel to: Length, Side Margins: None", End Margins: Mill", 43% Open Area, Sheet, 36.0000" Width x 120.0000" Length
Add to cart to see price. Click here to cut this item to size

McNICHOLS® Quality Perforated - Slotted Hole Products