FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How Can We Help You?

Do you have questions about metal perforating or our capabilities? On this page, you’ll find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you don’t see your question here, please contact us directly. We’re always ready to help!

Q: Do you offer finishing?
A:

We do offer many different types of finishings. With our local finishing partners, we can provide you nearly any type of finish from commonplace powder coating to extremely durable anodizing and PVDF.

Q: Can Accurate Perforating fabricate?
A:

Accurate has the most comprehensive fabrication offering in the perforating industry. We can handle anything from forming and punching to laser cutting and robotic welding.

Q: What materials do you perforate?
A:

We can perforate virtually all types of industrial metals, including carbon steel, galvanized, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, Monel® alloys and titanium.

Q: What is the largest sheet you can perforate?
A:

In flat sheets, we can perforate up to 6'wide and 20'long. However, most of our tooling is built to perforate 48"or 60"wide sheets. Additionally, the comfortable length for us to manage and for most carriers to haul is around 12'.

Q: Do you perforate coils?
A:

Accurate can perforate coils 14 gauge or thinner, up to 60"wide and 20,000 lbs. We can even finish (paint) perforated coils if necessary.

Q: Can you add mounting holes?
A:

Not only can Accurate add mounting holes, but we can also apply most any type of fabrication process to your order. This includes forming, bending, stamping, punching, shearing, laser cutting and welding.

Q: What is the thinnest and thickest material you perforate?
A:

Most of Accurate Perforating’s tooling is designed to perforate material from .25"to .040"thick. However, we have tooling that can perforate material as thick as 1/2"and as thin as .020". In addition, with our state-of-the-art tooling room with our own wire EDMs, milling machines and expert engineers, we can create custom tooling to perforate material outside of our current range – contact us to discuss.

Q: What hole size can you perforate?
A:

Currently, we perforate holes with diameters as small as .045 and as wide as 4". If you have a requirement outside of our current range, contact us to discuss your need. We might be able to create a custom tool in our in-house tooling department.

Q: How do you correct warping or “potato-chipping” caused by perforating?
A:

We know as well as anyone that material can warp during the perforation process. We also know that most people need their perforated material flat. That’s why we have invested heavily in the best precision leveling equipment on the market. We have many different levelers in-house to accommodate different material types, sizes and thicknesses.

Q: What material and finishes do you recommend for exterior applications?
A:

We have found that most customers use perforated aluminum for any exterior application because of its corrosion resistance and durability. Paired with a PVDF finish, the material has an extremely long lifespan. If a project specifies a more corrosive material like carbon steel, we can finish the material with a Tnemec coating to give it an equally long lifespan as aluminum and PVDF.

Q: Should I consider galvanized metal?
A:

With its self-healing properties, galvanized metal can also be an appropriate exterior material; that is if the client doesn’t mind the white powder that forms due to oxidation. Galvanized metal can be coated with a clear powder coat to reduce the oxidation. Sometimes, a project calls for a certain level of oxidation to give it a particular look or feel. Often this is the case when using COR-TEN® material or copper. These metals can be installed naturally and left to oxidize. Sealers or accelerators can also be applied to influence their appearance.

Q: Can you coat perforated metal in sheets and coils?
A:

Yes, Accurate Perforating has developed partnerships with numerous coaters and finishers across North America. They can coat sheets in very large sizes, components that are formed and fabricated (including corrugated), and coils in most widths and lengths.

Q: Do you provide custom packaging?
A:

Our perforating and fabrication divisions both have extremely proficient and flexible shipping departments with custom packaging cells able to custom pack your material to ensure save delivery. When necessary, Accurate Perforating has developed relationships with custom packaging houses across North America that can create a solution to fit your requirements.

Q: How much does perforated metal cost?
A:

There are many factors involved in determining a price for perforated metal. All specifications, such as material type, material thickness, size – just to list a few – must be considered for an accurate estimate. When you need a price for perforated material, our estimators will quickly assess your needs and provide you a quote as soon as possible.

Q: How quickly can I get a quote?
A:

Our typical quote lead-time is 24 to 48 hours depending on the complexity of your request and the number of quotes in the queue. Simple sheet and coil requests can often be processed in a matter of hours. More complex RFQs requiring fabrication, finishing, special material or detailed analysis can take much longer. Your estimator can provide you with an approximation of the quote lead-time.

Q: What are your lead-times?
A:

Simple orders can be manufactured in our plant in two to three weeks. Orders needing secondary processes like leveling, shearing, forming, welding, degreasing and finishing can take up to five to six weeks depending on the complexity. Special material requirements requiring a certain alloy or size can also add to the order lead-time. If you would like to know more, our estimators will be happy to provide you more details on our order lead-times.

Q: Will Accurate Perforating do toll processing or perforate material on a labor-only basis?
A:

Yes, if you have special material or are able to purchase material at an advantageous rate, Accurate Perforating can perforate it for you. We charge you only the cost to process the order and material, set up the equipment and perforate the material.

Q: How can Accurate Perforating lower my cost?
A:

We have years of experience analyzing our customer’s projects, components and order patterns in order to reduce their overall cost. We can review your component or project requirements against our perforating and fabrication capabilities to come up with the most cost-effective manufacturing processes.

We can also lower your costs through our blanket order and stocking program, reducing your cost per piece and improving your lead-times. Lastly, we can reduce your costs by merging our perforating and fabricating capabilities and by managing powder coating, anodizing and all other secondary operations.

Q: Do you perforate plastic or composite material?
A:

Accurate can perforate plastic and composite material. However, not all plastic and composite react the same way when perforated. We ask that you send us a sheet of material for us to test. If the material perforates well with our perforating press and tools, then we can proceed with your request.

Q: Can you perforate metal with margins or unperforated areas?
A:

Not only can we perforate sheets and coils with standard outside side and end margins, we can also perforate with vertical and horizontal internal margins.

Q: What if I don’t see the perforation pattern I need?
A:

If you don’t see the perforation pattern that you need, we can discuss building a new tool. Our tooling department has Wire EDM machines and machining centers to quickly build custom perforating tools. While this is an investment, a customized tool often is cheaper than any alternative. If a new tool isn’t the appropriate solution, we can see if one of our turret presses or our laser cutter is the answer.

Q: Does Accurate use recycled material?
A:

Most of the material that we use is 85 percent recycled content with 60 percent coming from post-consumer sources. When requested, we can work with our vendors to source material with a higher pre- and/or post-consumer content.

Q: What is a finished or unfinished end margin?
A:

With finished end margins, the pattern is symmetrical. Some of our tools are designed with a missing hole on every other row, which causes an unfinished end. 


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