1. Does your manufacturing process deal in high volumes?
2. Since power supplies are separate considerations, what type of power supplies (if any at all!) is available for the desktop hydraulic press in question?
3. What kind of precision and attention to detail are you looking for in your manufacturing operation?

Now lets take a look at some of the options available and see if we can’t narrow down your choices:

Arbor Press
These are hand operated presses. They are the simplest and least complicated of hydraulic presses. If you have low tonnage needs these are great inexpensive choices. An additional benefit with arbor presses is they do not need a power source - at least not an external one. Of course, the downside of this is they are low volume presses.

Air/Oil/Booster Press
These are great middle tier presses, and usually have a maximum output of around ten tons.

These don’t really have hydraulic power unit, which excludes them from high volume applications, but the side benefit is they often work with 110V single phase electrical systems and a standard shop air compressor.

Compared to arbor presses, air/oil presses tend to be a bit more user-friendly. They also are larger and can have safety equipment also attached to the machine.

On the downside, there are hydraulic press maintenance issues at times with an air/oil press. A majority of the booster presses only allow two hand control and has simple electrical relays which means that integrating other equipment a real pain.

Straight Hydraulic Presses
These presses can perform complete pressing force anywhere in the range of the stroke and can perform various sut heights which means you can use multiple dies. This fact alone means that hydraulic benchtop presses are perfect for a variety of applications.

The other great thing about a straight hydraulic press is the plethora of controller options. Basic relays (as used with the Booster Press) can be used, but much more sophisticated controls can also be used. Controls like PLC’s and PC. Operator interfaces are also great additions which speed job setup time and can store job settings. The wide array of settings of hydraulic presses make them almost as much control as the much vaunted electromechanical presses.

Electromechanical Press
These presses utilize very sophisticated control systems which allow for ultra high precision capabilities and performance. Because they used closed loop position and elaborate force control these are used mostly in research fields, labs, etc.

User input, adjustments, and special settings can be performed in an almost infinite number of ways. This makes the electromechanical press one of the most flexible and useful presses out there today.

When choosing a hydraulic press, reviewing the three original questions at the beginning of this article is important. Really think about the needs and requirements of your shop before making an investment. From simple (arbor press) to complex (electromechanical press), benchtop presses will continue to play an integral part in light manufacturing, assembly processes, and lab environments.

Tags: arbor press, desktop hydraulic press, electromechanical press, hydraulic press

There are four things to keep in mind when maintaining hydraulic press oil:

The first thing to keep in mind is that oil changes can be reduced considerably by implementing proper filtering precautions on your hydraulic press. Oil changes are usually spurred on by contamination that results in depletion of additives. The other reason for oil changes could be degrading of the base oil. While these are both valid reasons for oil changes, these reasons can be reduced by proper filtration. Don’t ignore it, and spend a little time implementing proper filtration techniques.

Another type of contamination is by non-oil particles entering the hydraulic lines. If you can keep your fluid at a cleanliness of ISO 4406 16/14/11 you can increase your average time between breakdowns by a factor of ten. Studies have shown this to be the case, especially in some of the latest studies, some which have been lengthy studies spanning three years or more on both mobile and industrial machines. Make no mistake about it - there is a direct connection between the cleanliness of your fluid and oil breakdown frequency.

You can extend the life of your hydraulic press fluid by using additives in your hydraulic lines. Particles can strip out additives, so use additives. The additives work by attaching themselves to particles, which then make these particles large enough to be (a) caught by the filters or (b) too heavy to float in the oil, thus causing them to sink to the bottom of the oil resevoirs.

The final thing you want to do as a hydraulic press operator is keep the fluid cool. Keep the fluid cool. Oil can (and will) oxidize if you do not keep the temperatures low. If the hydraulic press oil oxidizes, the life of the oil decreasese significantly because sludge will begin to form in the lines. You’ll get clogged filters, valve spool stiction and other random crap that just makes life miserable as a hydraulic press operator.

As mentioned previously, anytime there is an oil leak, attention should be given to the hydraulic press.If any oil is noticeable on the ram, for instance, the ram seal should be immediately replaced. There should NEVER be drops of oil. Instead there should just be a very light film of oil on it.

Tags: desktop hydraulic press, hydraulic press oil, hydraulic press repair, hydraulic presses

One of the critical components of proper press maintenance starts with the hydraulic press operator themselves. Any time there are unusual sounds, weird vibrations, or parts that seem to be misaligned it is important to fix it then.

Some press operators hesitate to do that because of the cost to productivity. Why would he want to stop in the middle of a run? Why not wait til the run is over? Because, quite simply, you’ll save yourself time later. A fix that might only take 30 minutes in the middle of a run is much more acceptable than running the hydraulic press until it breaks and it is out of service for several days waiting for a technician to come repair it.

Anytime there is an oil leak, attention should be given to the hydraulic press.If any oil is noticeable on the ram, for instance, the ram seal should be immediately replaced. There should NEVER be drops of oil. Instead there should just be a very light film of oil on it.

Bushings are an important items on which to keep an eye. The bronze bushings should be greased when needed.

Hydraulic lines are a good thing to watch as well. Any oil leaks should be immediately addressed. Fittings can be tightened, extra oil can be wiped off. Not only is this great maintenance and good practice in general, but it also makes it easier to identify leaks that are infinitely more serious should they arise.

Make it a regular practice to monitor the hydraulic press oil level. If it is low, fill it to the recommended level immediately. Unless otherwise instructed by a repair professional, always use the recommended oil as specified by the manufacturer of the press.

As a hydraulic press undergoes heavy use, it is quite common for bolts or fasteners to become loose over time. Always be sure to check the bolts - especially around the tooling area and tighten upon discovery.

The guide plates should regularly undergo lubrication checks. Like the ram, the guide plates should merely have a film of oil. There should not be large globs or drops of oil.

Some of the hydraulic press bushings have a check valve fitting. These fittings don’t need grease. Instead use something like Mobil Viscolite or something like it. And only use small amounts.

Oil temperature is important. Always check it. The usual ideal temperature is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Light curtains. Regularly check these. Check by breaking the beam while the ram is coming down - not up. When you do this the press should instantly stop. This won’t happen when it is traveling up. As always, check your user’s guide for the correct way this is to work.

In the same way that your car needs regular oil checks and changes, a hydraulic press cannot operate properly if the oil level is low or the oil is gunked up and dirty.

How to Keep Hydraulic Press Oil Clean

This is actually an easy process. Since dirt and high temperatures are the biggest problems for hydraulic press screwups, these are the two biggest things you need to monitor - preferably daily.

As stated earlier, the average oil temperature for a hydraulic press is around 120 degrees fahrenheit. Depending on the type of hydraulic press you have, there are usually either air or water cooled devices to keep the temperature down.

Air Coolers
Air coolers use a device similar to a radiator. This removes heat through the use of an electric fan. They should always be clean. The veins of the radiator actually have a tendency to collect dirt and dust. When this happens airflow is restricted from moving at maximum volume. This can often be remedied by attaching a filter - the kind that are used in A/C units. This will greatly reduce the amount of contaminants making it into the radiator.

Water Coolers
With a water cooled hydraulic press system it tends to work in a similar way to the air cooled, except fluid flows through the vanes instead of air. There are three main types of water coolers for the hydraulic press. Regardless of what cooler you end up using, yearly inspection is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

City Water:
Simply utilizing city water is a great choice for many press operators, because really, no maintenance is involved other than the lines inside the factory and inside the press. There is no system outside of the hydraulic press itself, however, that needs additional maintenance. The same cannot be said of the next two items:

Rooftop Mounted Units:
These can actually collect dust and dirt - mainly because they are located OUTSIDE. When these do the water tends to clog, which then causes rust to the water lines (if there is no rust inhibitor in the system). Again, like the air coolers, an inline water filter works great in keeping the junk out of the water. These units tend to get neglected because they are on the roof and no one wants to climb up there and do maintenance on the unit.

Water Chillers:
These are a favorite for those that can afford them. These are great because the water can be kept very cold and rust inhibitors can easily be added to the system.

Another yearly maintenance task should be performing an oil sample. This helps reassure the operator that contamination and fluid properties are where they are supposed to be.

If you find the oil is contaminated, does that mean you need to change the oil? Not in most instances. Sometimes though, it may be necessary to add chemicals to the oil to help bring the oil properties back to their proper levels.

Code 10 filters are required for simple hydraulic press. More complex systems usually require code 03 filters. Whatever filter you use should match the ISO code range for your machine. Many advertisers here on Hydraulic Press Now have a wide array of hydraulic press accessories.

Hydraulic Press Electrical Maintenance

Again, maintenance and preventative replacement is important when dealing with the electrical side of the hydraulic press. For instance, the coils on the valves usually are good for about 3 million strokes. Relays - 1 million strokes. It is important to replace these BEFORE they die to avoid costly downtime or expensive repairs.

One way to stay on top of these replacement items is to install an hour meter or some sort of stroke counter. When these changes are performed a record should be kept of the maintenance that has been done to the hydraulic press.

Control wiring should also be monitored closely.Any loose wiring should be run through cable trays or tie-wrapped. Keep any electronic boxes free of dust and dirt.

A hydraulic press is a large investment for a company. It is important to keep the preventative maintenance practice daily, always checking oil levels, temperature, and making sure the wiring is securely protected and fittings are tight.

Following these tips will ensure your hydraulic press keeps running, stays productive, and earns its keep!

Tags: 12 ton hydraulic press, hydraulic press, hydraulic press accessories

In the video below, a young David Letterman with a full head of hair goes to a hydraulic press shop in New Jersey and takes audience requests of things to put in the press.

He puts in items like table lamps, hot dogs and baked beans, a bowling ball, and takes a friendly jab at the New York Times by smashing the Sunday paper. Check it out:

Apparently there is a second installment where he adds even MORE stuff to the list of things to smash with the hydraulic press, and actually attempts to smash them! I’ll post it when I find it.

Update: I found it! He smashes an alarm clock, a stack of pancakes (with syrup), a jock strap and protective cup, a can of shaving cream. An audience member suggested a human head, but instead Letterman uses a Mr Potato Head. All at once he put a hardball, softball, and a coconut. Then he proceeds to smash a windup toy bug. He finishes up with a canned ham.

Funny stuff!

Tags: hydraulic press

There are many companies that provide listings of used hydraulic presses for sale. Some people have even created video tours of some presses and posted them on YouTube, like this Reconditioned 8 Ton Dennison-Abex Hydraulic Press or this really cool 250-Ton Williams & White Hydraulic Press. I liked the walkthru of this 400 Ton Verson Hydraulic Press Machine #3360.

Many of these companies are the same ones that advertise on our site. For example:

Companies like Kempler Industries are veterans in the industry and offer hundreds of used hydraulic presses. You can call their sales staff and they will ask extensive questions regarding your exact need and whether or not they can help. At the time of this writing, they had the following used hydraulic presses for sale:

• Hydraulic 4 Post Press
• Hydraulic Housing Type Press
• Hydraulic Gap Frame Press
• Hydraulic C Frame Press
• Hydraulic Compression Molding Press
• Hydraulic Laminating Press
• Hydraulic Transfer Molding
• Hydraulic Trim Press
• Hydraulic Die Cutting (Clicker Press)
• Hydraulic Straightening Press
• Hydraulic Double Action Press
• Hydraulic Tryout Press
• Hydraulic H Frame Press
• Hydraulic Wheel Press

You can visit their used hydraulic press page here.

eBay is another option for a used hydraulic press. At the time of this writing there were almost 100 used, new, and never operated hydraulic presses for sale at steep discounts.

Tags: hydraulic press videos, used hydraulic press

Actuator – An actuator changes fluid or liquid power into mechanical movement.

Age – Amount of time necessary to pause between the molding and evaluation of molded part properties.

Backrind – A defect at the parting line where material has been reduced in size inside the part.

Bed – The flat surface the material you are working with rests upon.

Bolster – Plates attached to rods which carry the platens, or any structure mounted to the bed of a press. Sometimes these have the option of being removable.

Check Valve – There are several kinds and types of valaves, but generally valves which allows flow in a single direction.

Compression Set – After removal of the force there is often a lingering deformation. For instance, if you use your fingernail to press into a molded sample; the impression or “indentation” which lingers is the compression set.

Contact Gauge – A feature of hydraulic press systems that turns the system off and on at set pressure points.

Cylinder Assembly – The cylinder, piston, ram, seals and packing of a press.

Daylight – The largest capacity, vertically, that the press can handle or the vertical clearance from the underside of the ram to the top of the bolster. The ram must be in its maximum up position.

Die – The tooling used in a hydraulic press for shearing, punching, forming, drawing or assembling metal or other materials.

Gate – The final opening through which injected material flows in order to enter a part cavity.

Heat Exchanger – Circulates air or water to maintain oil at operating temperature.

Hydraulic Pressure – Pressure caused by fluid under applied force.

Hydraulic Cylinders – Actuation devices that produce linear motion and force through the use of pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Hydraulic Pump – Pumps that use mechanical energy to deliver high-pressure fluid flow to the outlet through pressurized fluid.

Hydraulic Seal – A device that restricts the escape of fluid or entrance of foreign material.

Hydraulic Valve – A device that contains and transfers the flow and pressure of hydraulic fluid in hydraulic power systems.

Knockout – A device to knockout the die or punch.

Low Pressure System – Allows the hydraulic press to operate continuously under 10% of its maximum rated force. I also ensures a preheat function at reduced pressure.

Platen – Where the mold attaches. A series of flat surfaces where one surface is stationary and the other is mobile.

Rod or Tie Rod – Usually a long stem or pole to connect the two pieces of the press enabling them to act in concert.

Shut Height – The clearance over the bed with the ram full down.

Sprue – Main feed guide that runs from the outer face of an injection mold gate into a single cavity mold or to runners in a multiple cavity mold.

Stroke Control – Often an additional feature to control length of stroke and can be adjusted accordingly.

Throat Clearance – This is the distance between the frame member behind the hydraulic press bed to the vertical centerline of the ram. This measurement usually affects the size of material to be used.

Tags: hydraulic press

• Arbor hydraulic press: Used for seating stamping and removing bearings and other high-pressure assembly, repair and production jobs.
• Assembly hydraulic press: Use great pressure to secure or assemble parts together.
• C-frame hydraulic press: These are streamlined in size, press-shaped like a “C” and normally performs only one type of press application.
• Compression molding hydraulic press: These use two plates being pushed together to compress the chosen material into the mold.
• H-frame hydraulic presses: Sometimes referred to as 4-column presses, are shaped like an “H” and can often field more than one press application at a time.
• Laboratory hydraulic press: Lab presses are used primarily in research laboratories and other short and test run situations. These are usually smaller, single run presses.
• Laminating hydraulic press: Also called a lam press, these are mainly used for lamination of polymers onto the surface of other materials including lumber, metal and paper.
• Liquid Injection Molding (LIM) hydraulic press: These handle plastics that are created via injection processes.
• Mechanical power press: Used to shear, punch, form or assemble materials by using tools or dies attached to slides or rams.
• Pneumatic press: Use energy transfers in the form of compressed airflow to control their movements.Typical applications include punching, bending, shearing and forming.
• Power press: Hydraulic powered machines that use tools and dies to shear, punch, and form metals.
• Stamping press: Are devices that use stamping dies.
• Tableting press: Used for the pressing of powdered materials into shaped items, like pills, tablets or compacts. Pharmacists use something like this.
• Straightening press: These apply pressure to metal in order to straighten it.

Is there a hydraulic press we missed? If so contact us and let us know.

Tags: hydraulic press

Hydraulic presses work better because they affer steady pressure all the way through the brak - or stroke - and can provide wider variations in pressure and stroke length.

Cost and safety issues resulted in mechanical brakes being replaced by hydraulic press brakes back in the 1970’s. Mechanical brakes often had custom machined parts, so the hydraulic system greatly reduced cost and eliminated the need for custom machined parts. Even still, you should make sure before buying a hydraulic press whether or not the manufacturer is still around and if items like valves, seals, rings, and other key hydraulic press parts are still readily available.

The advertisers on this site have been carefully chosen and are the most reputable dealers we have found.

Many things happen at once when operating a hydraulic press, so you should be very familiar with each aspect, as ignoring even one item can cause poor quality bends, or even worse, damage to the hydraulic press.

Listed below are the four main items that make up a hydraulic press brake:

Hydraulic Fluid

The “blood” that keeps the hydraulic press going is hydraulic fluid. With the intense amount of force involved in a hydraulic press, it is important to be aware of the fluid levels. The hydraulic pump pushes the fluid, which then moves through the cylinders. These cylinders are called actuators (see below). The amount of fluid and pressure on the fluid is what moves the pistons, which in turn actually cause the bending or “braking” of the metal. Once the fluid has served it’s purpose to move the piston, it is then recycled back through the pump where it is used over and over again. This is one of the main advantages of the hydraulic press brake, in the the fluid is constantly recycled thereby allowing constant pressure to be applied to the metal.

Why oil? Why not water or some other fluid? As the oil runs through the hydraulic press it also lubricates and filters out contaminants in the press. Keeping your fluid levels in the hydraulic press is therefore important in the longevity of your pump. This oil gets hot too! This happens when the fluid is energized and pushing against the piston.

The Hydraulic Pump Itself

This is what moves the fluid through your hydraulic press. This is another reason hydraulic presses are preferred over mechanical presses - they can provide ten times the power density of electric motors. There are various types of pumps, such as radial piston pumps, axial piston pumps, vane pumps, and gear pumps.

If a pump has a rating of 10,000 psi, this means the pump can uphold the flow of press oil against loads of 10,000 psi, or that it can apply that much pressure.

The Actuator

The actuator is the thing that actually moves, or bends, the metal in the hydraulic press brake. This is the final job of the hydraulic fluid before it is recycled back through the hydraulic pump we talked about previously.

Hydraulic cyclinders are the most common form of actuators, which is basically a piston enclosed in a cylinder barrel. The stroke length of the piston is predetermined, or it can be controlled by controls we will discuss later. The speed of the piston can be held at a steady rate or can be programmed to change at different points in the bending process. Many hydraulic presses have multiple settings and adjustments to handle more than just one type of bend or more than one thickness of metal.

Hydraulic Press Brake - Control valves

Control valves help to ensure the correct amount of hydraulic fluid is dispensed and it is distributed evenly through the hydraulic valves on it’s way to the actuator. Some hydraulic press brakes have multiple actuators and these controls will often ensure the fluid is distributed evenly between all actuators involved.

Hydraulic Press Now has several used and like new hydraulic press brakes for sale.

Tags: hydraulic press brake

The hydraulic press was invented by Joseph Bramah, and is sometimes referred to as a Bramah Press.

“The pressure throughout a closed system is constant.” This is the principle on which hydraulic presses work, derived from Pascal’s Principle.

It works like this: At one end of a hydraulic press is a piston that is driven by a lever to apply force to the piston. From the piston runs some small diameter tubing, which runs to the other end of the press.

Oil or some other fluid is moved, or displaced, when the lever applies force to the piston, and certain mathematical equations determine how much force is applied on one end of the hydraulic press in order for the other end of the press to make similar movement.

Tags: hydraulic press

25 and 40-ton hydraulic shop presses are common in auto repair shops and are usually made of a high gauge steel and can provide the best flexibility by having multiple positions. The hydraulic press shown below has an 8-position bed for multiple uses:

More hydraulic shop press information.

Tags: hydraulic press, hydraulic shop press