Mechanical presses apply high force to shape, cut, compress or extract materials. They range in size from small hand-operated units to large industrial presses. Different mechanisms generate force, and they are used for various applications such as punching, stamping, bending, and liquid extraction. The amount of force a press can generate is known as its capacity. Dies are commonly used in shaping or trimming materials. Industrial presses can apply several tons of force and are available in various types to suit different applications.
A mechanical press is a device designed to apply very high force to form, shape or cut materials, compress solids or extract liquids. Mechanical presses range in size from very small units that are operated by hand, to large industrial units used in manufacturing and assembly line applications. For example, a simple hand press could be used to remove a bearing from a machine assembly, or a large press could be used to stamp sheet metal into the curved shapes used to build automobile bodies.
An industrial mechanical press is commonly used to shear, bend or form sheet metal. It usually consists of a structural frame, a lower fixed base, and an upper piston that moves along a vertical axis to apply a force. The component that moves along the axis and applies force is called a ram. There are different frame designs and mechanical configurations for the ram to meet the functional requirements of the press.
There are several mechanisms for generating the force employed in a mechanical press. A hydraulic press uses one or more cylinders and very high pressure fluid to move a cylinder piston and create force. Pneumatic presses are similar to hydraulic presses, but use pressurized air as opposed to fluid. A mechanical press is powered by an electric motor which drives a large flywheel, crank and clutch. A power assisted power press uses high precision motors to replace the flywheel and allows for better force control throughout the ram cycle.
The amount of force a mechanical press can generate is known as its capacity. Industrial presses are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and capacities, ranging from less than a ton to 10,000 tons or more. Mechanical presses used in industrial applications often apply several tons of force to the objects being formed.
A die is commonly used in a mechanical press that is shaping, punching, or trimming a material. The die is mounted to the base of the press and has a profile that adapts to the shape of the piece being formed. The die provides the cutting surfaces and a recessed space into which to drop the stamped or punched part.
There are many types of mechanical presses available to suit a variety of applications. Common industrial uses for a power press include punching, which creates an open hole in sheet metal by removing an internal section of the material; stamping, which forms sheet metal into a useful shape; and bending, which shapes the sheet metal around a straight axis. Other uses include liquid extraction, such as extracting the oil from olives for the production of olive oil; and by compressing solids, such as mechanical presses used to crush automobiles in auto scrap yards.
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