Types of Hydraulic Press

08 September 2010- A hydraulic press is a mechanical device that make use of pressurized liquid to create large amount of force. Composed of a simple cylinder and piston mechanism, the hydraulic presses are one of the most common and the most efficient contemporary press used in various industrial activities, specially where the use of motors may not be practical. These hydraulic presses are used in areas where very large forces can be created without taking up much space. We discuss the three most important types of hydraulic presses:

Roller Press

A roller press is a very important type of hydraulic press, which uses a series of large, cylindrical rollers to shape and press metal. The rollers are fixed one on top of the other. This is positioned in a straight vertical alignment. It can also offset at an angle. When the press is turned on, the use of hydraulic power turns on the rollers. The rollers can run at various speeds. The speed adjustment is done by the machine operator. A metal sheet is inserted into the rollers and fed through them. The metal is bent or curled due to the weight of the rollers. Metal strips inserted at an angle in this procedure can be turned into piping. Similarly large sheets can be curled or bent.

Flat Hydraulic Press

Another type of hydraulic press is the flat press. The flat press makes use of a hydraulic system that presses a flat head straight down onto a metal object. The power of hydraulic compression is used in this system. That is, the hydraulic fluid is used which pumps into a chamber that pushes the piston downwards. That force creates pressure and and this force is exerted onto a piece of metal. The flat press is operated using a lever. When the lever is pulled down, the press lowers onto an object. Flat hydraulic press is used on metal stamps, used to bend steel rods, or press rivets.

Car Crushers

One of the larger sized hydraulic presses are car crushers. These use the same mode of operation as the flat press. Here there are two hydraulic chambers with pistons in a sealed tube. Hydraulic fluid is filled in the area above the pistons that is pumped in by a motor. The fluid will not compress the piston above the chamber that is fluid filled, but the piston arm is forced down. The force is so great that it can crush your old station wagon or your vehicle that needs to be recycled.