Metalklipning

Metalklipning is a Swedish term that broadly refers to the mechanical cutting or shearing of metal. In industrial and workshop contexts it denotes the process of separating metal stock into smaller pieces or shapes by applying a cutting force that shears along a straight or curved line. The term can be found in metal fabrication, construction, and recycling settings and is often used interchangeably with related concepts such as metal shearing or clipping, depending on regional or industry-specific terminology.

Typical methods and equipment

- Manual and powered shears: bench shears, aviation snips, tin snips, and other hand tools designed for straight or curved cuts in sheet metal.

- Guillotine or power shears: hydraulic or electric machines that perform high-volume straight cuts on sheet metal with consistent edge quality.

- Nibblers and punch tools: devices that remove small portions of material or create holes, while producing relatively smooth edges.

- Sawing and mechanical cutting: abrasive wheels or saw blades used for thicker or harder metals, often in combination with clamping and guiding systems.

Process and quality considerations

The basic workflow involves marking the cut line, securing the workpiece (clamping or vice), performing the cut with appropriate tooling, and finishing with deburring or filing to remove sharp edges. Edge quality, burrs, and squareness are key quality criteria, especially for parts that will be joined or require precise fit. Material type, thickness, and grain direction influence tool choice and cutting parameters.

Applications and safety

Metalklipning is used across metal fabrication, HVAC, automotive, construction, and recycling industries to produce parts, assemble structures, or prepare scrap for processing. Safety considerations include the use of personal protective equipment, machine guarding, secure clamping, and proper training to manage kickback, hot surfaces, and sharp edges.

Etymology and usage

The term combines metallurgical material (metal) with klippning (cutting or clipping) and is part of Swedish industrial vocabulary. In other contexts, specific terms like metallklippning or metal shearing may be used.