Glossary

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3D Artform

The process of forming perforated metal to create a texturised architectural finish that can be used in a range of cladding applications.

3D Artform Image

The process of combining Picture Perforation and 3D Artform to create a Image that is both texturised and architecturally unique for used in a range of cladding applications.

3D Embossed

The process of using 2D shapes to form but not perforate the metal material for a timeless finish perfectly suited to interior applications.

Anodizing

An electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts. Anodizing increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance, providing better adhesion for paint primers and glues than does bare metal.

Aperture

The term used when specifying wire mesh and indicates the measurement between wires, or the size of the opening in the mesh.

Arrangement

How the holes are placed or lined up in the perforated metal sheet. Arrangements include staggered, straight or random.

Blank

Sheet of perforated or unperforated material cut to size; sometimes including notches or cutouts

Bridge Width/Bar/Web

Distance between the nearest edges of two adjacent holes in a perforated plate.

CAD

CAD or Computer Aided Design is the technology used when creating customised perforated metal. The use of computer technology to draw the design means that even the most complex pattern can be achieved, approved and refined prior to manufacture. The design is then fed from computer to our punching machinery for precise and accurate perforation, exactly to specification.

Camber

A slight convex curve of the material

Corroguard™ Grommet

Isolating grommets that are used throughout Metrix Group Fixing Systems to reduce thermal expansion, structure borne vibration and prevent dissimilar metal corrosion.

Centre Distance

Distance from the centre of a hole to the centre of the adjacent hole

Cold Rolled

A process in which the metal is rolled out at a temperature just below the point where it softens, making the metal stronger, stiffer, and more ductile

CRS

Cold Rolled Steel

Deburring

A finishing method used to remove the ragged edges or protrusions caused when metal is welded, moulded, cast, trimmed, slit or sheared.

Degreased

A sheet of metal that has undergone a finishing process to remove the grease.

End Margins

The distance from the end of the sheet to the first perforated section parallel to the end edge

End Pattern

The end pattern refers to the pattern of the holes at the beginning and end of the sheet.

Feed Direction

The direction in which a plate or sheet is fed through the perforating press.

Galvanized

Steel that has been coated with zinc in order to prevent rusting and corrosion.

Gauge

The thickness of the sheet metal is called its gauge.

Grinding

The mechanical process utilized to remove rough or uneven areas on the perforated or fabricated metal surface to prepare the material for finishing.

Hole Size

Diameter measurement of the perforation shape; measurement from side to side.

Hot Rolled

A process in which the metal is rolled out at a high temperature in order to reduce its thickness.

Intermediate Margins

Unperforated areas inside the perforated sections used to achieve a particular design or appearance.

Levelling

A procedure used to re-flatten perforated material that was warped during the perforating process.

LVR

All colours have a light reflectivity rating (LRV). A light colour with an LRV of over 15 will normally provide a good contrast for Picture Perforation.

Margin

Distance between the outside edges of the outside rows of holes and the edges of a perforated plate

Material Type

The metal material that forms the perforated metal such as aluminium, steel, stainless steel, pre-galvanised or steel.

Metal Thickness

How thick or thin the metal sheet is that will be perforated, which may also be referred to as metal gauge.

Metal Thickness

How thick or thin the metal sheet is that will be perforated, which may also be referred to as metal gauge.

Mild Steel Sheet

Low carbon, typically more ductile (easy to punch), machinable, and weldable than high carbon or alloy steels. Very economical. 

Mill Finish

The natural appearance of the metal as it comes from the mill

Open Area Percentage

The open area percentage tells you how much of the sheet is made up of holes, and how much is made up of metal. It is an essential consideration when understanding if a profile meets specific performance, design and strength needs.

Perforated Coil

Flat rolled sheet for the manufacture of perforated metal plate, the edges of which are allowed to deform freely during rolling and which immediately after the final rolling pass is wound into a uniform coil.

Perforation Hole Size

Diameter of a round hole or distance between opposite sides of a square hole of a perforated metal plate.

Perforated Plate

Screening surface consisting of a plate with uniform holes in a symmetrical arrangement. The holes may be square, slotted, circular or of another regular geometrical shape.

Perf Sheet

Flat rolled material for the manufacture of perforated metal plate, less than 3mm thick, the edges of which are allowed to deform freely during rolling, supplied in flat form and generally in rectangular shape, but also in any other shape according to a design sketch.

Perforated Tool/Tooling

Interchangeable die sets comprised of pins/punches, die plate, stripper plate, and punch holder used on the perforating presses to perforate the various perforation patterns.

Picture Perforation

Picture Perforation is created by punching different sized holes into metal panels to reflect the form and shading within an image.

Pitch

The pitch is the measurement from the centre of one hole to the centre of the adjacent hole. Pitch dictates how closely spaced the perforated holes are, and is a deciding factor in the design, function and strength of the finished product.

Plate

Flat rolled material for the manufacture of perforated metal plate, 3mm to 12.5mm thick, the edges of which are allowed to deform freely during rolling, supplied in flat form and generally in rectangular form, but also in any other shape according to a design sketch.

Plate Thickness

The thickness of the plate before perforation.

Powder Coating

A coating or finish that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a consistent layer; also referred to as a polyester finish.

Profile

The profile means the shape and size of each hole. Perforated metal comes in many different standard profiles, ranging from circle to round-end square, slot and hexagon.

Punch Side

The surface of a perforated plate which the punch entered.

Roller levelling

Cold mechanical operation on a perforated metal plate to promote flatness.

RFI

Request For more Information.

RFQ

Request for Quote.

Shearing

Process used to cut material to the desired length and width. This process allows perpendicular, parallel, and diagonal cuts.

Skip Feeds

Areas in a perforated sheet are intentionally unperforated in order to achieve a particular design or appearance.

Squareness

Material having two pairs of equal sides and four right angles.

Staggered Pattern

Holes are aligned in staggered or nested orientation. A staggered perforation pattern can provide the highest open area.

Stainless Steel

Highly resistant to corrosion and rust, containing lower carbon levels and higher levels of chromium than non-stainless steels.

Straight Pattern

Perforated holes are aligned in straight rows and columns.

Sustainability

Refers to a structure and usage process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability and comfort.

Tension levelling

Cold mechanical operation on a perforated metal plate to promote flatness.

Tool Library

Inventory of perforated tools or die sets including pins/punches, die plate, stripper plate and punch holder.

Unfinished Ends

The end perforation pattern is not solid and appears rough and incomplete at the end of the sheet.

UV Coating

Curable coating applied directly to metal coatings to enhance the durability, scratch resistance and fade resistance

Viewing Distance

Each image has an optimum viewing distance where it becomes clearest. Speak to our Design Studio about calculating this result.