Hydraulic Press

Full power stroke
The full power of a hydraulic press can be delivered at any point in the stroke. Not only at the very bottom, as is the case with mechanical presses. In drawing operations, for example, you have the full power of the press available at the top of the stroke.Other advantages are faster set-ups and no time consuming job of adjusting the stroke nut on the slide to accommodate different dies.

Built-in overload protection
A 100-ton hydraulic press will exert only 100 tons of pressure (or less, if you have set it for less) no matter what mistakes you make in set-up. You needn't worry about overloading or breaking the press or smashing a die. When a hydraulic press reaches its set pressure, that's all the pressure there is. The relief valve opens at that limit and there is no danger of overload.

Much lower original cost and operating costs
Hydraulic presses are relatively simple, and you may be surprised at the significant cost advantage over mechanical presses in comparable sizes. The numbers of moving parts are few, and these are fully lubricated in a flow of pressurized oil. Breakdowns, when they occur, are usually minor; not, for example, like a broken crankshaft. Replacements of packing, solenoid coils, and occasionally a valve, are typical maintenance items. Not only are these parts inexpensive, but also they are easily replaced without tearing the machine apart. This means more up-time and lower maintenance costs.

Larger capacities at lower cost
It is easier and less expensive to buy certain kinds of capacity in hydraulic presses. Stroke lengths of 12, 18, and 24 inches are common. Extra stroke length is easy to provide. Open gap (daylight), too, can be added without much additional cost. Similarly, larger table areas and small presses with big bed areas can be provided. Large 200-ton presses with relatively small beds are available; tonnage of the press doesn't dictate what the bed size will be.

More control flexibility
Hydraulic press power is always under control. The ram force, the direction, the speed, the release of force, the duration of pressure dwell, all can be adjusted to fit a particular job. Jobs with light dies can be done with the pressure turned down. The ram can be made to approach the work rapidly, then shifted to a slower speed before contacting the work. Tool life is thus prolonged. Timers, feeders, heaters, coolers, and a variety of auxiliary functions can be brought into the sequence to suit the job. Hydraulic presses can do far more than just go up and down, up and down.

Greater versatility
A single hydraulic press can do a wide variety of jobs within its tonnage range. Commonly seen are deep draws, shell reductions, urethane bulging, forming, blank and pierce, stake, punch, press fits, straightening, and assembly. They are also used for powered metal forming, abrasive wheel forming, bonding, broaching, ball sizing, plastic and rubber compression, and transfer molding.

Quiet
Fewer moving parts and the elimination of a flywheel reduce the overall noise level of hydraulic presses compared to mechanical presses. Properly sized and properly mounted pumping units meet and exceed current federal standards for noise, even with the pump under full pressure.

More compact
A typical 20-ton hydraulic press is eight feet high, six feet deep, and two feet wide. A 200-ton press is only ten feet high, nine feet deep, and a little over three feet wide. At ten times the capacity, the 200-ton press only takes up 50 percent more floor space. Hydraulic presses become less and less expensive compared to mechanical presses.