Our entire way of living rests on the shoulders of engineers, researchers, developers, and other smart people who understand the role of innovation. Due to their constant efforts, we regular folks can enjoy safer vehicles, faster air travel, and smarter phones (to name a few).
The high-tech products that made us dwellers of the internet or help doctors find new cures and treatments are all possible due to new materials such as carbon fiber composites or artificial muscles (for robotics). Still, in all these impressive products you will almost always find metal. Whether it’s used to reinforce the frame or to make computer chips, metal and metalworking continue to be a vital part of many US industries.
Metal is usually delivered in bars, chunks, molten form, or sheets and needs to be molded into shape using press machines or forming presses. These are machines that use force and apply pressure on the metal to give it the right shape. But before the metal gets into the press machine, a product engineer needs to design the item.
Once the design is ready for production, the metal gets into the press, and the machine will apply the necessary force to shape it according to specifications. Since the settings are different depending on the industry, type of metal, and end result, there are various types of press machines. Therefore, if you browse a catalog of 2nd hand presses, you will find a wide variety of models and settings.
However, if you perform a search based on the operative mechanism, you will find three main categories:
- Hydraulic presses
- Mechanical presses
- Pneumatic presses
Therefore, before getting a press machine for production, it’s important to understand the difference between these three categories:
Types of Press Machines
#1: Hydraulic Presses
These types of presses are designed for more intricate pieces, with complex shapes and details. Plus, since the press applies the force gradually the metal can keep certain properties which may be crucial for the final piece.
Hydraulic presses use hydraulic fluid, which is a non-compressive liquid that has plenty of applications in various industries and products designed for the home user. The reason behind it is that you can move entire systems with minimal initial force. In the case of a press machine, the fluid moves through the machine once it is activated by a compressive force.
#2: Mechanical Presses
In this case, the machine uses basic mechanical force, usually applied by a ram. The force is transferred into the metal, which will bend, compress, or take the shape required by the design. In this case, the energy is distributed all at once, with the intention to bend the metal into submission.
Mechanical presses are used for stamping, punching, or bending into shape. Since they only use one maximum force impact to create the shape, they are also called impact presses. Also, mechanical presses are easier to maintain and less expensive than the other two types. However, they cannot be used for intricate shapes that need more attention.
#3: Pneumatic Presses
Pneumatic press machines use gas compression to get the needed force to shape the metal. These are powerful, fast, and easy to maneuver, which is why they are used for punching, forming, shearing, bending, or extruding operations.
These presses may be a bit more expensive, but they do have a wider range of use. Still, it’s important to include the maintenance costs when you make the purchase since the gas will need replenishing from time to time.
Wrap Up
Innovation is important in all industries, but this doesn’t mean manufacturers no longer use basic materials and machines. Even if large manufacturers automate the production process, press machines are still useful for small and medium business owners who want to join the industry of metalworking.
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