Just like other machine tools, a forming press occurs to be one with its function of changing the shape of a workpiece. It often works with the application of pressure. Operators that operate this machine are called press-tool setters or tool-setter.
Machine presses are available for different operations in the manufacturing world, making them available in different types and various functions. Presses are classified according to their:
- Mechanism – hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic.
- Functions – forge presses, stamp presses, press brakes, punch presses, es, etc.
- Structures such as knuckle-joint press, screw press
- Control – conventional or servo presses.
Contents
Shop press
A shop press typically comprises a rectangular frame and a hydraulic cylinder that applies pressure through a ram to a workpiece. This press is known as a shop press as it is often used for general-purpose forming work.
It’s greatly used in machine shops, auto mechanic shops, garage or basement shops, etc. The shop press is capable of applying pressure of about 1 to 30 tons, depending on size and construction.
Finally, a shop press is commonly used to press interference fit parts together. Parts like gears into shafts or bearing into housings.
Read: Understanding Machining Process and machine tool
Servo press
A servo press is also known as an electro press or servomechanism press. It is driven by an AC servo motor and it converts the torque produced to a linear force through a ball screw.
The servo press uses a load cell and an encoder to control the pressure and position. One great benefit it offers is low energy consumption as it’s only 10-20% of other kinds.
Stamping is about maximizing energy as opposed to how the tonnage is delivered. However, bigger machines with bigger motors are vastly used to increase tonnage between the die and workpiece.
Applications
As earlier mentioned, there are different types of presses available out there for different mechanical purposes. below are some types of pressers and their applications:
- Press brake: it’s a special type of machine press that is used for bending sheet metal into shape. The modern version of the press brake features CNC controls, leaving the parts formed with high accuracy. Its bending forces range up to 3,000 tons.
- Punch press: the punch press is designed for hole forming
- Stamping press: this is another type of machine press used for shaping and cutting metal by deforming them with a die. It consists press frame, bolster plate, and ram.
- Capping press: it forms caps from rolls of aluminum foil at about 660 per minute.
- Screw press: also known as a fly press.
Types
The types of presses are the straight sides, back geared BG, geared, gap, open back inclination OBI, and open back stationary OBS. C- type, etc.
Parts
The major parts of the machine press include a vertical column, c-frame, anvil, ram, table, and die press.
Safety
Safety is important as machine presses can be hazardous. The CNC version or BI-manual control can be very good and less hazardous as the controls are on buttons to operate. The sensor’s light is also important to be in good condition as it indicates if the operator is in range of the die.
Read more: Understanding Machine
That’s it for this article “Machine press tool”. I hope you enjoyed the reading if so kindly comment, share, and recommend this site to other technical students. Thanks!
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