Hydraulic presses play vital roles in the fabrication, assembly, and maintenance of various products in a wide range of industries. The machines allow manufacturers and operators to manufacture, fit, assemble, bend, and stamp workpieces into predetermined shapes and forms. Hydraulic presses have existed since the dawn of the metal ages. However, they have been modified and turned into fabrication and forming tools applied in various industries over the years. The market currently features a wide range of hydraulic press machines for different applications. The wide range of options has made it easy to find a cheap hydraulic press. Before you go out looking for cheap hydraulic presses, you ought to understand a few hydraulic press terms and features.
Standard terms and hydraulic press features
Understanding the various terms associated with hydraulic presses will help you know how to work the machines and the various elements involved in the process. Below are some terms used when working with hydraulic presses;
1. Blank holder
The blank holder is a controlled force that facilitates the holding of the blank edges during an operation that requires deep drawing. The blank holder force is essential in the drawing process as it helps prevent wrinkles. This is especially the case when complex parts are drawn.
2. Die cushion
The die cushion, also known as the draw cushion, is an essential component of a single-action draw press. The role of the cushion is to provide a flexible and controlled blank holder force. The cushion is usually placed below the bolster and bed. This positioning allows it to provide a uniform blank holding, especially in deep drawing. The components can also be used to strip finished parts from the punch, also known as the die. It is worth mentioning that the die cushion can impact the quality of the part.
3. Distance reversal switch and dwell timmer
This is an adjustable limit switch used for setting the stroke depth at which the hydraulic lift ram reverses. This component works closely with the dwell timer. A dwell timer is an adjustable timer used to set the dwell length underneath the stroke. This component can also be applied for other functions like timing the press movement sequence.
4. Hydraulic steel cylinder
This is a component of the hydraulic press, also known as the ram. The hydraulic steel cylinder is usually extended to apply force for compressing parts. It also helps with separating the parts.
5. Heat exchanging
This is a maintenance process that is used to ensure the proper functioning of a hydraulic press. This is achieved through a heat exchanger. This component is usually attached to the oil reservoir. It works by facilitating water and air circulation within the machine to keep the oil at optimal temperature.
Final word
In addition to the terms and features listed above, you may also want to understand the various components of a hydraulic press and how they function. This information will come in handy when choosing a cheap hydraulic press. It will also help you understand how the machine operates.