Hydraulic Press Machine Parts Name
A hydraulic press is a unique machine that uses Pascal’s principle to produce energy or force. With this energy or force, you can perform many tasks such as forming, shaping, or configuring materials to make useful parts.
This summarizes the working principle of hydraulic press.
More importantly, the hydraulic press principle of operation depends on the well-coordinated movement of various parts.
That is to say, looking at your hydraulic press machine, it is evident that it has thousands of parts and components. Let’s look at the main parts of the hydraulic press and their functions.
Main Parts of Hydraulic Press Machines and their Functions
1. Frame or Machine Structure
The frame is the overall outer metal structure that holds the other components. Usually, we make this structure from strong mild steel or other steel alloys due to:
- High strength
- Toughness
- Ability to withstand enormous shock or force
Therefore, this is the basic structure that forms the basis of a hydraulic press machine. That is, all parts are mounted on the structure.
More importantly, you will find that the structure also forms the basis for classifying different types of hydraulic press. For instance, we have:
Ideally, all these describe the hydraulic press frame design or structure.
2. Cylinders
A cylinder is one of the main parts of a hydraulic press machine. Usually, the number of hydraulic cylinders varies depending on the compressive force you need (hydraulic press capacity). For instance, we may have a 200-ton hydraulic press or a 500-ton hydraulic press.
Ideally, the cylinders function as a hydraulic actuator. That is to say, when your system “creates” hydraulic energy, it is converted into mechanical motion. Usually, the mechanical movement or motion manifests in the form of linear motion.
Under normal circumstances, the hydraulic press cylinders function as
- Ram (one cylinder)
- Plunger (another cylinder)
Usually, the pressure on the plunger and ram produces enough compressive force (as high as over 500 tons) to deform parts or material.
The rams create pressure on the tooling system by sliding within the hydraulic press frame.
3. Hydraulic Fluid
The movement and compressive force are due to the fluid in the hydraulic system. Based on the Pascal principle, it is the main driving force in the hydraulic press equipment.
It is the hydraulic fluid that transmits power from one side of the fluid to another. Additionally, these fluids perform other functions such as:
- Lubrication
- Cooling, and
- Sealing
4. Piston
Pistons form part of a hydraulic cylinder. Whenever you push a hydraulic piston, it compresses the hydraulic fluid forcing it to flow through the pipes.
Remember, the hydraulic press design is such that it has two cylinders:
- Slave cylinder, which is usually a small cylinder
- Master cylinder, which is the larger cylinder
5. Hydraulic Pump
The pump facilitates hydraulic fluid flow to the cylinders. For instance, a hydraulic pump will ensure hydraulic fluid moves into the accumulator and other hydraulic press parts.
When it comes to hydraulic pumps, you can choose a system with:
- Vane hydraulic pump
- Gear hydraulic pump
- Piston hydraulic pump
Depending on how the system should work, there is an option for a variable pump or constant pump. But in most cases, the hydraulic presses use a positive displacement pump. Implying that for every pump cycle, your hydraulic pump will deliver a constant amount of hydraulic fluid.
6. Gibs
During reciprocating motion, it is the gibs that guide the ram. As a result, you can achieve parallelism and squareness.
You can easily adjust their mechanism to achieve the desired degree of motion in a hydraulic press machine.
7. Hydraulic Accumulator
An accumulator is a cylinder that has a piston, which is spring-loaded. The accumulator stores a hydraulic press which the system releases when needed. You should note that this hydraulic pressure is in the form of fluid.
Although the configuration may vary, in most cases, the accumulator is such that one end is attached to the machine. While the other end is attached to the hydraulic pump.
In essence, saves the pump from operating continuously as it acts as an energy reservoir.
8. Working Table
This is where you will place the material you wish to press. The table must be strong enough to withstand the compressive force from the machine. It must withstand shock and impact, plus any other shear forces.
9. Hydraulic Motor
A hydraulic motor is another example of hydraulic actuator. As a component in a hydraulic press machine, which transforms pressure from hydraulic fluid into angular displacement or torque.
Furthermore, hydraulic motors come in different configurations depending on the desired operating speed and flow level.
10. Pipe Systems or Hose System
Pipes are hollow conduits that allow for hydraulic fluid flow without any restrictions. A times, you may refer to them as hydraulic system hoses.
11. Reservoir
Like other hydraulic systems, these press machines have a reservoir. Apart from the obvious function, which is to store hydraulic fluid, it also helps in:
- Heat transfer – removing excess heat from the hydraulic fluid
- Remove impurities – it allows impurities that may be in the hydraulic fluid to settle
- Allow both moisture and air to exit – these may affect the general performance of the hydraulic system
12. Valve System
The working principle of hydraulic press depends on the ability of your system to control fluid flow. This makes valve systems important components of hydraulic press machines.
Hydraulic press valve systems perform three critical roles:
- Starting hydraulic fluid flow
- Halting or stopping hydraulic fluid flow
- Guiding or controlling hydraulic fluid flow
Depending on the hydraulic press machine design, the actuating mechanism for these valves can be:
- Pneumatic
- Manual
- Hydraulic, or
- Electrical
Hydraulic press machine parts – Photo courtesy: The Engineers Post
13. Pressure Regulator
It helps maintain optimal pressure for the hydraulic press to operate. Being a closed-loop system, the regulator ensures hydraulic fluid flowing in the pipes, cylinder, and tank has a desirable pressure level.
With the help of this regulator, in situations where fluid pressure is beyond the desired level, extra fluid is channeled back into the reservoir.
14. Electrical Cabinet
An electrical cabinet securely protects the hydraulic press’s electrical components and accessories. It offers protection from dust and other environmental elements.
15. Human Machine Interface (HMI)
As part of electronic systems in hydraulic press, this is a programmable panel that allows you to configure how the hydraulic press works. Depending on the hydraulic press design, you can configure and monitor hydraulic press operations.
For advanced machines, you may use the HMI to retrieve process history and other related data. You will find HMI touchscreen panels in industrial hydraulic presses. However, they are not common in manual hydraulic presses.
16. Hydraulic Power Unit
Also called a hydraulic power pack is a complete system with many parts such as:
- Tank
- Hoses
- Coolers
- Motor
17. Pumps
All these parts work together to create pressure thereby driving motors and cylinders. This forms the fundamental working principle of hydraulic press.
18. Mounting Feet
It forms the base of the hydraulic press frame or structure. This is where you will firmly mount your hydraulic press to the floor or surface.
You should mount the hydraulic press on a flat surface and if possible, secure it with nuts and bolts.
19. Bed Cushion
Also called a draw cushion, it offers flexible and controlled blank holder force. It prevents unwanted deformation during material processing operations.
When pushed upon, it offers a resistance force for smooth and efficient fabrication.
20. Bolster
Bolster is a removable plate that forms part of the working bench. They vary in configurations. However, they are mostly bolted into the hydraulic press machine bed.
Furthermore, you can also attach your tooling to the bolster.
21. Bushing
Another critical part of the hydraulic press machine is the bushing, which comes as fixed or variable. You will find these parts in the post-guided presses.
Most bushings are bronze-impregnated with graphite to reduce friction as they guide the ram system during material fabrication.
22. Hydraulic Press Crown
It is the upper section of the hydraulic press machine. This part consists of a cylinder and other drive mechanisms.
23. Heated Platen
Heated platen is a unique component of the hydraulic press that helps achieve superior parts finishing. In most cases, they are steel plates that can be heated using:
- Steam
- Oil or,
- Electricity
In most hydraulic press designs, you will attach the tooling system to a heated platen. Furthermore, they may have thermal breaks, which is an insulation between the hydraulic press frame and platen.
Apart from the hydraulic press machine parts mentioned above, we can summarize other components in the table below:
| Hydraulic Press Machine Part Name | Function of Hydraulic Press Part |
| Ram knockout | · Removes formed part from the hydraulic press tooling system |
| T-slots | · They are mainly found in platens · Help to fix tooling (die) in the right position |
| Tie Rod | · Mainly available in 2 or 4 post hydraulic press machine · These are mainly threaded rods with nuts that help secure the hydraulic press frame |
| Sensors and transducers | · Measures linear position, pressure, and other parameters in the hydraulic press |
| Hydraulic connectors and fittings | · These include bolts, nuts, gaskets, and other connectors. · They hold hydraulic press structure while ensuring seamless flow of hydraulic fluid and power transmission |
| Safety door | · Also called correction gate, you can use this door to replace workpiece |
| Switches | · Normal switches for turning the hydraulic press on and off · Limit switch control motion of components mechanically thereby preventing them from going through the next process |
| Manual level | · Allows you to control the process manually |
| Friction brake winch | · Adjusts the work bed when needed |
Conclusion
As you can see, a hydraulic press machine is an assembly of many parts and components. In this article, we have only covered some of the main parts.
In case you want to know the part name, and exact location in your machine, always refer to the product manual.
At TSINFA, all our hydraulic press machines have user manuals and technical drawings showing every part. For all your hydraulic press machines from China, contact us now.
