Editing Machine press

{{Short description|Machine tool that changes the shape of a work piece by the application of pressure}}
[[File:GoldsmithPress.jpg|thumb|250px|Manual [[goldsmith]] press]]
[[File:40-ton-shop-press.jpg|thumb|General-purpose hydraulic shop press]]
[[File:Power press animation.gif|thumb|Power press with a fixed barrier guard]]

[[File:Euromaster-Achtergrond.jpg|thumb|A HACO CNC hydraulic press brake]]
[[File:CNC Press Brake.ogv|thumb|A [[Brake (sheet metal bending)|press brake]] bending a sheet of steel]]

A '''forming press''', commonly shortened to '''press''', is a [[machine tool]] that changes the shape of a work-piece by the application of pressure.<ref>{{Citation | title = Press | url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PRESS | access-date = 2009-11-24 | postscript =.}}</ref> The operator of a forming press is known as a '''press-tool setter''', often shortened to '''tool-setter'''.

Presses can be classified according to
* their mechanism: [[Hydraulic press|hydraulic]], [[Machine (mechanical) |mechanical]], [[Pneumatics|pneumatic]];
* their function: [[forging press]]es, [[stamping press]]es, [[press brake]]s,  [[punch press]], etc.
* their structure, e.g. Knuckle-joint press, [[screw press]], [[Expeller pressing|Expeller press]]
* their controllability: conventional vs. [[Servo press|servo-presses]]

==Shop Press==
Typically consisting of a simple rectangular frame, often [[fabrication (metal)|fabricated]] from [[Structural channel|C-channel]] or tubing, containing a [[Jack (device)#Bottle jack|bottle jack]] or hydraulic cylinder to apply pressure via a ram to a work-piece. Often used for general-purpose forming work in the auto mechanic shop, machine shop, garage or basement shops, etc. Typical shop presses are capable of applying between 1 and 30 tons pressure, depending on size and construction. Lighter-duty versions are often called [[arbor press]]es.

A shop press is commonly used to press [[interference fit]] parts together, such as gears onto shafts or bearings into housings.

==Other presses by application==
* A [[press brake]] is a special type of machine press that bends sheet metal into shape. A good example of the type of work a press brake can do is the back-plate of a computer case.  Other examples include brackets, frame pieces and electronic enclosures. Some press brakes have [[CNC]] controls and can form parts with accuracy to a fraction of a millimeter. Bending forces can range up to 3,000 tons.<ref>Press Brake Tonnage Table, American Machine Tools Co. Web site (http://www.americanmachinetools.com/pressure_table.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815211930/http://www.americanmachinetools.com/pressure_table.htm |date=2018-08-15 }}). Retrieved 7-26-14.</ref><ref>Press Brakes, Pacific Press Technologies Web site (http://www.pacific-press.com/brakes.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411201006/http://www.pacific-press.com/brakes.html |date=2014-04-11 }}). Retrieved 7-26-14.</ref><ref>Parker, Dana T. ''Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II,'' pp. 29, 83, Cypress, California, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9897906-0-4}}.</ref>
* A [[punch press]] is used to form holes.
* A screw press is also known as a fly press.
* A [[stamping press]] is a machine press used to shape or cut metal by [[deformation (engineering)|deforming]] it with a [[die (manufacturing)|die]]. It generally consists of a press frame, a bolster plate, and a ram.<ref>Parker, Dana T. ''Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II,'' pp. 87, Cypress, California, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9897906-0-4}}.</ref>
* Capping presses form caps from rolls of [[aluminium]] foil at up to 660 per minute.

==An example of peculiar press control: servo-press==
A [[servomechanism]] press, also known as a ''servo press'' or an '''electro-press'', is a press driven by an [[alternating current|AC]] servo motor. The [[torque]] produced is converted to a linear [[force]] via a [[ball screw]]. Pressure and position are controlled through a [[load cell]] and an [[encoder (position)|encoder]]. The main advantage of a servo press is its low energy consumption; its only 10-20% of other press machines.

When stamping, it is really about maximizing energy as opposed to how the machine can deliver tonnage. Up until recently, the way to increase tonnage between the die and work-piece on a mechanical press was through bigger machines with bigger motors.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The science behind the servo press|url = http://www.thefabricator.com/article/stamping/the-science-behind-the-servo-press|website = www.thefabricator.com|date = 2008-01-15|access-date = 2016-02-03}}</ref>

==Types of presses==

The press style used is in direct correlation to the end product. Press types are straight-side, BG (back geared), geared, gap, OBI (open back inclinable) and OBS (open back stationary). [[Hydraulic press|Hydraulic]] and mechanical presses are classified by the frame the moving elements are mounted on. The most common are the gap-frame, also known as C-frame, and the straight-side press. A straight-side press has vertical columns on either side of the machine and eliminates angular [[Deflection angle|deflection]]. A C-frame allows easy access to the die area on three sides and require less floor space. A type of gap-frame, the OBI pivots the frame for easier scrap or part discharge. The OBS timed air blasts, devices or conveyor for scrap or part discharge.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Metal Stamping Equipment And Machines - American Industrial|url = http://www.americanindust.com/metal-stamping-machines.html|website = American Industrial|access-date = 2016-02-03|language = en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sme.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=73768|title = SME.org PDF|access-date = 3 February 2016|website = www.sme.org}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
|+ Comparison of various machine presses
|- bgcolor="#99CCFF"
| rowspan="2" | Type of press
| colspan="7" | Type of frame
| colspan="4" | Position of frame
| colspan="3" | Action
| colspan="8" | Method of actuation
| colspan="4" | Type of drive
| colspan="3" | Suspension
| colspan="2" | Ram
| colspan="3" | Bed
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Open-back || Gap || Straight-side || Arch || Piller || Solid || Tie rod || Vertical || Horizontal || Inclinable || Inclined || Single || Double || Triple || Crank || Front-to-back crank || Eccentric || Toggle || Screw || Cam || Rack&nbsp;& pinion || Piston || Over direct || Geared, overdrive || Under direct || Geared, underdrive || One-point || Two-point || Four-point || Single || Multiple || Solid || Open || Adjustable
|-
! scope="row" | Bench
| X || X || || || || X || || X || || X || X || X || || || X || || X ||  || X || ||  || X || X ||  || ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  || X || X || X
|-
! scope="row" | Open-back inclinable
| X || X ||  ||  ||  || X ||  || X ||  || X ||  || X || X ||  || X ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  || X || X || X ||  ||  || X || X ||  || X || X ||  || X || 
|-
! Gap-frame
| X || X ||  ||  ||  || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X ||  || X || X || X || X ||  ||  ||  || X || X || X ||  ||  || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || 
|-
! scope="row" | Adjustable-bed horn
|  || X ||  ||  ||  || X ||  || X ||  ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  || X ||  ||  ||  ||  || X || X || X ||  ||  || X || X ||  || X ||  || X || X || X
|-
! scope="row" | End-wheel
| || X ||  ||  ||  || X ||  || X ||  ||  ||  || X ||  ||  ||  || X || X ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || X || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  || X || X || 
|-
! scope="row" | Arch-frame
| ||  || X || X ||  || X ||  || X ||  ||  || X || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || X || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X || 
|-
! scope="row" | Straight-side
| ||  || X || X ||  || X || X || X || X ||  || X || X || X || X || X || X || X ||  ||  ||  || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || X || 
|-
! scope="row" | Reducing
| X || X || X ||  ||  || X || X || X || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || X || X || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X ||  ||  || X || 
|-
! scope="row" | Knuckle-lever
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | X
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | 
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | X
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | X
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | X
|  width="34" | X
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Toggle-draw
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | 
|  width="45" | X
|  width="39" | X
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | X
|  width="45" | X
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | X
|  width="41" | 
|  width="51" | X
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Cam-drawing
|  width="50" | X
|  width="28" | X
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | X
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | 
|  width="45" | X
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | X
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | X
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | 
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | 
|  width="51" | X
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Two-point single-action
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | X
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | X
|  width="35" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | High-production
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | X
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | X
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | {{Not a typo|Dieing}} machine
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="34" | 
|  width="48" | 
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | X
|  width="60" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Transfer
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | X
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | X
|  width="57" | X
|  width="45" | X
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | X
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Flat-edge trimming
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="33" | X
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | 
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | 
|  width="45" | X
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | 
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | X
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | 
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | 
|  width="36" | 
|  width="66" | 
|-
! scope="row" | Hydraulic
|  width="50" | 
|  width="28" | X
|  width="50" | X
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="34" | 
|  width="48" | X
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | X
|  width="59" | X
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | X
|  width="39" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | X
|  width="39" | 
|  width="60" | 
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | X
|  width="34" | X
|  width="36" | X
|  width="66" | X
|-
! scope="row" | Press brake
|  width="50" | X
|  width="28" | X
|  width="50" | 
|  width="33" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="48" | 
|  width="49" | X
|  width="62" | 
|  width="59" | 
|  width="50" | 
|  width="41" | X
|  width="45" | 
|  width="39" | 
|  width="40" | X
|  width="64" | 
|  width="57" | 
|  width="45" | 
|  width="42" | 
|  width="32" | 
|  width="61" | 
|  width="42" | X
|  width="39" | 
|  width="60" | X
|  width="40" | 
|  width="68" | 
|  width="35" | 
|  width="35" | X
|  width="36" | X
|  width="41" | X
|  width="51" | 
|  width="34" | X
|  width="36" | 
|  width="66" | 
|}

==History==
[[File:KIT Prüfpresse.jpg|thumb|upright|Proofing press from 1941, cultural monument at the [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]]]]
Historically, metal was shaped by hand using a [[hammer]]. Later, larger hammers were constructed to press more metal at once, or to press thicker materials. Often a smith would employ a helper or apprentice to swing the hammer while the smith concentrated on positioning the work-piece.  Drop hammers and [[trip hammer]]s utilize a mechanism to lift the hammer, which then falls by gravity onto the work.

In the mid 19th century, manual and rotary-cam hammers began to be replaced in industry by the [[steam hammer]], which was first described in 1784 by [[James Watt]], a British inventor and Mechanical Engineer who also contributed to the earliest steam engines and condensers, but not built until 1840 by British inventor [[James Nasmyth]].  By the late 19th century, steam hammers had increased greatly in size; in 1891 the Bethlehem Iron Company made an enhancement allowing a steam hammer to deliver a 125-ton blow.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Punch Press Services Ltd |title=The History of Punch Press Machines |url=http://www.punchpressuk.com/page/10091/article/668 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715183230/http://www.punchpressuk.com/page/10091/article/668 |archive-date=2015-07-15}}</ref>

Most modern machine presses typically use a combination of [[electric motors]] and [[hydraulic]]s to achieve the necessary pressure. Along with the evolution of presses came the evolution of the [[Die (manufacturing)|dies]] used within them.<ref>Parker, Dana T. ''Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II,'' pp. 20, 29, 48, 83, 85, 87, Cypress, California, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9897906-0-4}}.</ref>

==Safety==
Machine presses can be hazardous, so safety measures must always be taken. Bi-manual controls (controls the use of which requires both hands to be on the buttons to operate) are a very good way to prevent accidents, as are [[light curtain]]s that keep the machine from working if the operator is in range of the die.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Presses}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxTZjWKzlBQC&pg=PR1 |title=Metal forming handbook|author=  Schuler|date=1998 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-540-61185-1 }}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.forging.org/design/512-presses|title=5.1.2 Presses|publisher=Forging Industry Association|access-date=2018-01-11|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035213/https://www.forging.org/design/512-presses|url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{Metalworking navbox|formopen}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Presswork|*]]
[[Category:Metal forming]]
[[Category:Machine tools]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]