An industrial press — more commonly called a machine press — can perform a broad range of tasks that require the application of pressure to form and shape metal. In addition to forming, industrial presses can accommodate tooling for cutting, assembly, and more. Presses are available in many different sizes and may use various energy sources.
There are three types of standard press system frames:
The ideal frame and method of applying force will depend on the application. There are five types of industrial presses commonly used in machine shops.
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Manual presses are sometimes known as a workshop press or arbor press. A manual press derives its power from a human operator. The manual press’s ram can be moved in a linear motion and generates forces using simple methods like leverage. Affordable and straightforward in design, manual presses are ideal for bench-mounting and performing light-duty tasks, like bending and piercing for very low volume operations. The operator controls the press by moving the ram and applying force using a lever or handle.
A pneumatic press uses compressed air to increase the cylinder’s internal pressure, generating linear motion and force. Pneumatic presses generate a relatively low maximum force dependent on the pressure of the regulated air source and the size of the cylinder bore. Although the maximum force may be low, pneumatic presses minimize operator fatigue with no tactile feedback.
Pneumatic presses are typically cost-effective for minimal to periodic use, providing quick and consistent force throughout the stroke range. Typical processes for pneumatic presses may include punching, bending, extruding, forming, and shearing.
These presses are also called hydra-pneumatic presses, or air over oil presses. They use an air over oil intensifier cylinder for the press’s motion. They are controlled pneumatically, but they have a trapped section of hydraulic oil in the cylinder which gets intensified to provide higher forces (up to 200 tons). Air/Oil presses provide a smooth controlled power stroke to the workpiece. A pressure regulator controls the power stroke force, and a hard stop in the cylinder, part, or tooling controls the power stroke length. Hydra-pneumatic presses typically use significantly less compressed air than standard pneumatic presses, so they are more efficient for production environments.
A hydraulic assembly press uses a hydraulic cylinder filled with oil, and a hydraulic power unit powered by an electric motor to move the ram and generate force through the hydraulic cylinder. Hydraulic presses are available in a broad range of sizes and capabilities. In general, the hydraulic cylinders’ bore size and regulated operating pressure determine the machine’s maximum force. The hydraulic press delivers consistent force throughout the stroke range and is adjustable based on a pressure switch or force setting.
A servo-electric press delivers fuller control with flexibility and consistent force throughout the stroke. The servo-electric press is gaining popularity in recent years as the prices become lower. This industrial press type has several advantages, including a long lifespan, energy efficiency, and simple maintenance without messy oil and power units. It uses plant electricity to generate linear motion through a servo motor or drive unit integrated with a ball screw or roller screw actuator. Servo-electric presses also feature high precision and deliver full tonnage throughout the stroke without producing substantial noise, and have complete controllability at the touch of a button.
An industrial press delivers force for cutting, assembling, and forming workpieces. With various industrial press systems to choose from, there is sure to be a press that suits your application. At HyperCyl, we have been delivering high-quality hydra-pneumatic press solutions since our establishment in 1994, and HyperCyl-EMA servo press solutions since 2010. Aries Engineering/HyperCyl is a privately-owned, American company with headquarters in Dundee, Michigan.
HyperCyl has been a member of the NFPA since the year 2000, and a charter member of the Assembly Show. We offer UL, CSA, CE panel certifications for any given system. We also hold seven trademarks and six patents on our cutting edge technology.
To learn more about our services and capabilities, reach out to us, or request a quote.
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