Whether you’re just starting to shop for a new press, or you’ve been a fan of them for years, there are a lot of different types of mechanical presses out there. You can get flywheel-driven presses, double-action slides, and even hydraulic presses.
Hydraulic vs mechanical press
Whether you’re looking for a new press or are considering installing an existing one, you’ll want to understand the difference between hydraulic and mechanical presses. While they both offer similar advantages and disadvantages, one may be more suited for your manufacturing needs.
Hydraulic presses are characterized by a pump that pressurizes a liquid. The liquid creates pressure in response to the piston, which pushes the top plate into the workpiece. The press can exert up to 100 tons of pressure during a single stroke.
Hydraulic presses are available in a variety of sizes, from 12 inches to over a foot long. The press has a variable angle of entry that allows for more flexibility. They also have built-in overload protection to prevent accidental damage to the press.
Servo press
Servo mechanical presses are designed to handle multiple job types. They are also useful for delicate assembly operations. For example, a servo press can be used to perform interference assembly, where multiple parts are assembled on the same side of a product. A servo press can also be used to assemble the front and back grooves on a piece of automobile.
Most servo mechanical presses are designed to produce a high force per square foot of working area. This is typically 25 to 50 tons. However, it can also be higher depending on the type of job and application.
A servo press can also be ordered with a shorter stroke length, which allows a part to be formed in a shorter time. Additionally, a servo press can be ordered with a higher force per square foot than a hydraulic press. This allows a lower energy consumption.
Double-action slide
Generally, the draw slide in a mechanical press is powered by the crankshaft and moves up and down in the press frame. It is also connected to the upper half of the tool set. Generally, the draw slide moves upward and downward during the initial part of the cycle and then returns to the uppermost position after the drawing operation is complete.
The draw slide has been considered to be a must have in a mechanical press. However, in order to operate the draw slide in the press, the crank must be modified to change the stroke diagram. The press may also have to be increased in size in order to accommodate die height adjustment.
The new double action press operating mechanism incorporates the simultaneous travel of the draw slide and the blank holder slide. This will increase the number of operating cycles per press, thus increasing the speed at which the press can complete a drawing operation.
Eccentric-geared
Whether it is for riveting, forming, or hole punching, the eccentric-geared mechanical press is perfect for a range of applications. The press features a high-quality gear system and a helical, precision-machined guide way for maximum accuracy.
The eccentric-geared mechanical press is ideal for long strokes. It can be configured with or without an intermediate gear depending on the forming energy required.
The size of the flywheel determines the energy available. It also determines the force that can be transmitted from the main shaft. The amount of energy available also varies with the speed.
An eccentric-geared press can be configured with a single gear or a double gear. It can also have a link drive. A link drive has a faster turn around and offers more run time. It also allows for increased production.
Flywheel-driven
Servo-driven mechanical presses are a logical step in the quest to improve productivity at the stamping plant. Servo presses can improve cycle times, reduce impact forces, and increase the life of tools. In addition to improving productivity, these presses can help to maintain a high level of quality. However, they are not without their drawbacks. They also have the potential to cause heating of sheet metal and tooling. Servo-driven presses are not as stable as mechanical presses, and they can also experience a variety of problems, such as stalling, jamming, and overheating.
In the best interest of productivity and product consistency, manufacturers can make minor modifications to their existing presses to increase the number of parts they can make per minute. Some of these modifications can be implemented in the field without changing the press’s dimensions. These changes can be accomplished with the use of mounting holes, cable guides, or a custom designed crown-top structure.