A CNC turret punch press punches holes, slots and shapes in sheet metal with tools held in a rotating turret. The sheet moves under the punch on a CNC table, and the turret turns to the next tool. It also forms louvres, embosses, countersinks and threads, which a laser cannot, so it suits electrical panels, enclosures and perforated sheets.
Quick facts
- Typical force
- About 20–30 tonnes
- Sheet size
- About 1,250×2,500 mm (49.21×98.43 inch) common
- Sheet thickness
- About 0.5–6 mm (0.0197–0.236 inch) mild steel
- Tool stations
- About 20–60 in the turret
- Hit rate
- Several hundred hits a minute
- Drive
- Mechanical, hydraulic or servo electric
Main parts
- Turret holding punches and dies in stations
- Auto-index stations that rotate tools to any angle
- CNC table with clamps that move the sheet
- Ram (mechanical, hydraulic or servo)
- Controller and nesting software
- Optional load and unload automation
Turret punch or laser?
| Turret punch | Fibre laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Many standard holes | Very fast | Fast |
| Forming (louvres, embosses, extrusions) | Yes | No |
| Any outline shape | Nibbling, rougher edge | Clean edge |
| Thick plate | Limited | Better |
| Tooling cost | Punches and dies per shape | None per shape |
Good to know
- Combination punch-laser machines do both on one sheet
- Hole diameter should be at least about the sheet thickness
- Large outlines are nibbled with many small hits
- Common in panel, enclosure, HVAC and switchgear work
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Questions
- What is a turret punch press used for?
- Punching many holes, slots and cut-outs in sheet metal, and forming features such as louvres and countersinks, mainly for panels and enclosures.
- How thick a sheet can it punch?
- Most machines punch mild steel up to about 6 mm (0.236 inch), with less in stainless steel. Thicker plate is usually laser or plasma cut.
- Is punching cheaper than laser cutting?
- For parts with many standard holes and formed features, often yes. For varied outlines and small batches with no forming, laser is usually simpler.
The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 22 October 2026.