Manufacturer of Hydraulic Presses
When it comes to operator safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States claims that any machine part, function or process that may cause injury to the operator must be eliminated or safeguarded.
Keeping this in mind, when planning to buy a new hydraulic H-frame press, you should be cognizant of certain safety factors to ensure the protection of your employees. Here is a list of attributes you’ll want your next hydraulic H-frame press to have, that will help ensure a safe working environment.
A low maximum operating pressure:
Bigger is better when it comes to hydraulic presses. H-frame presses that use large bore cylinders have a lower P.S.I which results in maximum efficiency with much less risk for the operator. Presses that use smaller cylinders operate at an astounding 10,000 P.S.I.. Not only does this make them much more dangerous for the operator if a hose should rupture, but their oil temperatures are much higher causing a drop in efficiency.
Presence of a safety guard:
Proper guarding is the first line of defense for your operator and is often the only thing that can prevent potential injuries. Most guards can be easily mounted and will swing out of the way when the press is not in use and the operator needs access.
A well concealed motor:
The safest location for a motor on a hydraulic h-frame press is up and out of the way with no exposed pulleys or moving parts for the operator’s fingers or clothing to get caught on.
Ram speeds not exceeding 3/8” per second are safest:
A ram speed with less than 3/8 of an inch per second ensures a controlled and safe progression. Any speed greater than that requires that additional safety measures be taken for the employee.
In conclusion:
Design and functionality are of course important when looking into buying an h-frame press but do not overlook safety as a concern, remember as Ben Franklin once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all, your employees are your most valuable resource and their safety should always be of utmost importance.
