By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-10-11 11:35:52 | Word Count: 664
If you are in the market for a used hydraulic shop press, there are things you should know about the machine, the process and what to look for.
First, determine your needs. Is this for home application or a shop? Do you have a high number of parts that need to be produced precisely? What size materials are you considering? What gauge of materials will you be using? A used shop press can handle anything malleable, such as aluminum, tin, copper, brass, low carbon steel, stainless, aluminum alloys and copper alloys. You need to determine the tonnage you need, the length of bed, bolster width, stroke lengths, what type of drive system and what type of control system you will need.
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A hydraulic press brake is comprised of a housing unit, which is heavily-constructed to provide structural support for the brake. The brake itself is the component that conveys the materials the full length of the ram in a smooth fashion, with no disruptions to the forming operation. The bolster plate attaches to the press bed and positions and supports the die assembly. The bed is where the materials lie, and the ram holds the upper blade; its position is on the front of the housing, moving up and down vertically. The gib gives a sliding surface to the ram, and the drive provides up and down motion to the slide, available as either mechanical or hydraulic.
Mechanical drives typically deliver more force at the bottom of the stroke than at its halfway point. It offers more strokes per minute than a hydraulic system. There is an electric motor that powers a flywheel, which powers the drive shaft. It has variable speed from its upstroke to its down stroke, changing speeds from high at the top of the stroke, to low at the touch point, to high again for its return. Hydraulic drives can press up to 8000 tons. They offer a smooth, continual motion from the top of the stroke to the bottom and on the return. There are more speeds available than on a mechanical drive, allowing for a greater number of applications, from home use to a small shop.
Keep in mind several things when making a choice on a used hydraulic shop press. A mechanical press is a good option if you need a workhorse that can occasionally go beyond its rated limits. Typically, mechanical presses are chosen for high-output in a large production outfit. It runs faster, but is a little more dangerous because of this. Hydraulic presses are a little slower, but with todays manufacturing standards and advances, and the advantage of CNC operations to your process, the production differences are negligible.
Always complete your own research online and in person, inspect your potential purchase for obvious cracks or stress indicators on the hardware itself. Look for any alignment problems, and check for bowing or dents in the bed. Overall condition should be solid, and if you are not sure of the condition, bring along someone who knows this type of machinery well, to advise you.
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