A hydraulic press is a liquid-powered machine that creates large amounts of force. They are available in a range of sizes and can be used for many different tasks.
They are commonly used for forming metal into flat sheets. They are also used in construction to form concrete into different shapes and sizes.
C-frame
C-frame hydraulic presses take up less floor space than other hydraulic presses, allowing them to fit in tighter work spaces. These machines have a narrow and strong C-shaped frame and are often used for stamping, which involves pushing sheet metal into a die to shape it. A C-frame press also performs other operations such as embossing, blanking, coining, and compaction—a process that creates a solid object through the compression of powdered material.
This particular type of hydraulic press is also referred to as a bulldozer or back-geared c-frame, and features a back-geared hydraulic system with a wheel-pinion gear that drives an eccentric shaft. A programmable version is also available, which makes it easier to change the press settings from an interface panel with nearly 2000 stored tool programs.
While they are commonly used in small to medium size job shops, this type of hydraulic presses is also known for its versatility in high volume production applications such as automotive and aerospace components, metal forming and welding, and general assembly. The servo-electric actuation offered by C-frame presses helps boost performance, maximize efficiency, and make it easy to operate even when using the press for complex projects.
As a result of their smaller footprint and versatility, these presses are generally less expensive than other types of hydraulic presses. They also require less maintenance and can withstand higher operating forces, although they may have a tendency to deflect or “yawn” under extreme pressure. For these reasons, Beckwood engineers utilize reinforced frames and gib-guided ram bolsters in our custom C-frame presses to ensure they can stand up to the highest-tonnage applications. For example, the aforementioned back-geared C-frame press that’s used to bend and form aluminum extrusions for the aerospace industry has a welded steel framework, an 8-point gib guide system, and a programmable controller. This combination of features helps this unique hydraulic press perform the demanding bending and stamping processes required for the aerospace industry while remaining stable. To learn more about our wide range of C-frame presses and how they can help you meet your project’s requirements, contact a Beckwood engineer today!
H-frame
Designed for heavy-duty applications, H-frame presses offer greater stability and resistance to deflection, making them suitable for metal forming techniques such as deep drawing. They also have higher tonnage capacities than C-frame presses and are best suited for large-scale component manufacturing.
Unlike the C-frame, which uses pistons to apply force, H-frame presses use hydraulic cylinders to generate pressure. Hydraulic cylinders are typically mounted on both sides of the frame and consist of a cylindrical barrel, a piston rod and a seal that separates the power chamber from the return chamber. Loading the workpiece or material inside the cylinders activates the hydraulic system, which transmits hydraulic pressure from the pump to the cylinders through control valves and hoses.
A hydraulic press can exert a tremendous amount of pressure over an extended period or quickly and repeatedly in succession. This allows you to shape and deform materials such as combining and shaping metals or creating medicines. The type of workpiece and the force required for pressing will determine which type of hydraulic press you require.
