The various types of hydraulic presses can have a similar appearance, but they actually serve different purposes. How do you know which one’s right for you?
Hydraulic presses are particularly versatile, especially when compared to mechanical presses. The first step in choosing the right hydraulic press is determining your exact needs for the operation. Then, you can identify the capabilities of each type of press and match your application’s needs with the best hydraulic press. Choosing one that doesn’t meet your needs costs more money, wastes time, and negatively impacts production.
Below, we’ll cover the main types of hydraulic presses, their capabilities, and which presses work best for specific operations so you can decide which is best for your application.
A hydraulic press was engineered based on Pascal’s Principle – it uses a pump to apply pressure to a liquid, usually oil. The pressure emitted from the pump travels through pistons, which multiply the original force, creating a much larger output pressure, which is then powerful enough to form materials.
Simply put, a hydraulic press uses liquid power to generate a great deal of force to compress or shape things. But not every press is built the same. The right press for you depends on what you need it to do.
In the chart below, find the four types of hydraulic presses and their key features to see which press might align best with your specific application needs.
|
Hydraulic Press |
Description |
Tonnage |
Application Example |
Pros |
Cons |
|
C-Frame Floor Model |
Delivers high force with compact design |
1 - 20 tons |
Produces bearings and other tooling used across several industries, like medical, agriculture, and military |
Small footprint, 3-sided access, Precise |
Less-stable, Lower maximum tonnage, Small to medium-sized material only |
|
4-Post Hydraulic Press |
Allows for versatility with a sturdy design that offers precision |
10 – 1,000 tons |
Large forming, molding, deep-draw stamping |
Precise, robust design, good visibility for the operator |
No off-center loading |
|
Bench Press |
Mounts on a tabletop or workbench, ideal for fast, low-volume tasks |
1 – 20 tons |
Precision assembly, small stamping jobs |
Mobile, compact footprint |
Limited tonnage |
|
Custom Press |
Built for specific applications |
Anything outside of standard tonnage |
Automotive parts with a reduced cycle time |
Tailored features, high precision |
High initial cost, complex operation |
The C-frame floor model is an ideal space-efficient option. It’s known for its small footprint, yet high force, ranging from 20 to 300 tons. The C-shape frame allows for three-sided access to the forming area, allowing them to handle various materials of different shapes and sizes.
These presses are best for high-precision applications that require smaller bed sizes and lower tonnages, making them less ideal for large material operations. The C-frame shape has many advantages, but the design can lead to less stability during high-pressure operations.
The 4-post hydraulic press is built to handle a wide range of jobs. Its sturdy design ensures the press bed and ram stay perfectly aligned during operation, making it ideal for delicate jobs requiring precision.
These presses are more economical in the long run than other presses, plus their design allows for access from all four sides. There are a few drawbacks, including less flexibility compared to other presses, which makes them less suitable for jobs that have strict guidelines. Plus, they may require more maintenance over time to make sure they stay in alignment.
The hydraulic bench press is designed for bench-top mounting, making it compact and best suited for smaller spaces that perform quick, low-volume jobs. However, their smaller work area limits the materials you can use, and the stationary bolster, or working surface, requires manual alignment.
Your facility may have a very different set of requirements when it comes to the type of hydraulic press you need. Custom hydraulic press solutions are available. You’ll be able to tailor its features to fit your specific needs.
Customize your press with options such as daylight, throat depth, stroke, index tables, knockout cylinder, die cushion, shuttle cylinder, upward-acting main cylinder, closed-loop sequencing, force and position monitoring capabilities, servo, and many other features.
Custom presses offer higher accuracy and efficiency because they’re built for specific needs. However, this could lead to a bigger investment upfront, plus more complex operations that can be harder to learn.
Each application has a different set of requirements, and the types of hydraulic presses have a range of capabilities. To choose the right one, start by determining your application’s criteria when it comes to these performance factors:
Two key considerations determine the bed size, or work area, of your press: the size of your materials you’ll be working with and the available space in your facility. Determining the right balance is crucial for selecting a press that doesn’t overwhelm your workspace while staying efficient.
Tonnage is the maximum force a hydraulic press can exert, which can be up to 3,000 tons. The higher the tonnage, the bigger the machine. Choosing the wrong tonnage can result in poorly formed pieces, equipment damage, reduced efficiency, and possible production downtime.
The speed of your hydraulic press directly impacts production time. Large-scale productions may want to choose a press with a higher speed, which reduces the time for each cycle. Slower controlled speeds are more suitable for more intricate applications.
Matching the footprint of your press to the layout of your workspace, as well as to the intended application, is crucial for smooth and cost-effective productions. Choosing a press that’s too large for your layout creates safety hazards, while one oversized for the job wastes both energy and money. On the other hand, if your press is too small for the job, it will be overworked, causing it to wear out much faster.
Breaking down the selection process into steps will help you identify the hydraulic press that meets your current production needs, as well as your long-term goals. Follow these guidelines to figure out which hydraulic press best fits your needs:
When deciding which type of hydraulic press works best for your facility, remember to consider key factors such as tonnage, available floor space, and the specific operations you’ll perform. Also, account for your future production needs and growth.
Whether you need shaping, compacting, trimming, or punching, there is a press that fits your needs. Our years of experience in the industry can help guide you to the ideal press for your production.
Explore all the industries we serve – from aerospace to agriculture to automotive – to see how Multipress can benefit your operations.