Manufacturer of Hydraulic Presses
Investing in a hydraulic press is a major decision. These workhorses don’t come cheap. Doing your research is the best way to ensure the press you buy is the one you need.
Do you know that there are more than a dozen types of hydraulic presses? They can mold, stamp, drill, straighten, punch, bend and form. There are even presses that make credit cards.
You need to know what is available, and match the press to the jobs you get in your shop. Here is a look at the differences in hydraulic presses and what to look for.
It is essential that the hydraulic press you choose can accommodate the types of materials you use to get the job done for your customer. For example, an operator has easy access on an open-gap press from three or four sides. That’s important if the materials are big and cumbersome.
Do your jobs require off-center loading? Then you want to look at a straight-side press. Does the project require even pressure? Then the best choice is probably a four-column press, also called an H-frame press.
Another major way that these presses are categorized is by tonnage. This is the capacity of the press, the power it brings to each job. Some presses offer adjustable tonnage. Or you can buy a press with specific tonnage. In most cases, the press can be customized to give you the tonnage you need.
Some manufacturers, like Press Master, offer a wide range of features that are standard on all of their hydraulic presses. These companies usually have a variety of optional accessories available. Other press makers require customers to buy an array of features as extras, as well as accessories.
The right accessory or feature can speed up your job, add precision and give the operator greater control. Before you invest, make of list of all the components and capabilities you want in a hydraulic press.
Make sure it covers everything you need to do the job from your biggest customers. If you can cut down on time and material waste on the bulk of jobs in your shop, your new hydraulic press will pay for itself in no time.
Major Factors to Check in a Hydraulic Press
Check out the hydraulic presses you inspect with several factors in mind.
Quality. Check reviews in trade magazines and ask your network in the machine shop field. Go with a manufacturer who backs up his presses with a reputable guarantee.
Durability. Downtime costs money. Look for presses that are known for reliability and long lifespan.
Horsepower. Be sure the press you buy has the power to do the job.
Speed. Find out before you buy how much motor speed you need from your press.
Bolster thickness. The bolster is the plate mounted on the top of the bed. Check that its thickness can do the job you demand of it.
Frame construction. The two main types of frames are the C-frame and the H-frame.
The C-frame, like on a platen press, are very stable and have little deflection. They can be used for a variety of operations, including punching, timing, drawing, banking, straightening and bending. It generally takes up less space, due to its C-shape. Each press is usually used for just a single type of job.
The H-frame are usually made for heavy loads, even as high as 3,500 tons, though there are several smaller models on the market. An example of what they are used for includes the laminating press, which can handle two jobs, heating and cooling.
Confused? There’s a lot to figure out when investing your hard-earned cash in a hydraulic press. That’s where the experts at Press Master can help. They have been assisting machine shops just like yours, both big and small, for over 40 years to find the right hydraulic press to do the job.
Give our customer support team a call. We are happy to answer your questions and help you choose the right hydraulic press for your needs.
All presses are made in North America, and safety is designed in. In the event a repair is needed, parts are easy to come by, so downtime is reduced. We can modify our presses to fit your exact needs. We can also custom design a press that suits your precise specifications.
