Hydraulic Press Muhammad Umair Akram

#1

#Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department, NED University of Engineering and Technology

University Road Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan 1im079um@gmail.com

3umair.an@ymail.com

I. INTRODUCTION

A hydraulic press is a mechanical machine used for lifting

or compressing large items. The force is generated through the

use of hydraulics to increase the power of a standard

mechanical level. This type of machine is typically found in a

manufacturing environment. Invented in 1795 by Joseph

Braham, the hydraulic press is also known as the Braham

press. He used his knowledge of fluid mechanics and motion

to develop this device. This invention significantly increased

the compression power. By applying hydraulics to a press, an

entire class of machines was invented. There is a wide range

of different hydraulic press machines, ranging from small

table top units for hobbyists to huge machines used to create

metal parts.

The primary concept used to provide power to the

hydraulic press is that the level of pressure in a closed system

is constant. This type of press has pistons with a fluid inside

that is displaced by the pistons' inward movement. The fluid

forces its way back into the space by moving the piston

outward. The additional power is created through the

movement of the fluid, which is confined to the system.

The concept of the hydraulic press is based on Pascal's

theory, which states that when pressure is applied on fluids in

an enclosed system, the pressure throughout the system

always remains constant. In simple words, a hydraulic press is

a machine that makes use of the pressure exerted on the fluids

to crush something.

II. HOW DOES IT WORK?

Since the hydraulic press works on the basis of Pascal's

Law, its working is similar to the one of the hydraulic system.

A hydraulic press consists of basic components used in a

hydraulic system that includes the cylinder, pistons, the

hydraulic pipes; etc. The working of this press is very simple.

The system comprises of two cylinders, the fluid (usually oil)

is poured in the cylinder having a small diameter. This

cylinder is known as the slave cylinder.

The piston in this cylinder is pushed so that it compresses

the fluid in it that flows through a pipe into the larger cylinder.

The larger cylinder is known as the master cylinder. The

pressure is exerted on the larger cylinder and the piston in the

master cylinder pushes the fluid back to the original cylinder. The force applied on the fluids by the smaller cylinder

results in a larger force when pushed in the master cylinder.

The hydraulic press is mostly used for industrial purposes

where a large pressure is required for compressing metals into

thin sheets. An industrial hydraulic press uses the material to

be worked upon along with the help of the press plates to

crush or punch the material into a thin sheet.

III. TYPES

There are multitudinous types of hydraulic presses, with

each having its distinctive applications; however, here are

some applications that overlap with different types of

hydraulic presses.

Platen presses are designed to function by using a ram in

addition to a solid and a surface designed for stability. A good

example would be a C-frame press, which can be used for

various applications and operations, including banking,

straighten, drawing, forming, punching, bending and timing.

Vacuum and laminating presses possess several

specialized capabilities, which encapsulating numerous layers

of plastic materials for certain application such as credit cards.

Additionally, laminating presses have the capacity to apply

film. Another type of press that has specialized capacity is a

stamping press.

The stamping press is primarily used for cutting and

shaping materials through the process of deformation with die

used primarily in the automotive and metal working industries.

For the moulding and stamping of rubber, metal and plastic,

the transfer press works best, and this type of application is

used predominately in the aerospace and medical industries.

Forging presses are used exclusively on metal.

IV. APPLICATIONS

Hydraulic presses are commonly used for

Forging

Clinching

Moulding

Blanking

Punching

Deep drawing and

Metal forming operations.