Article

Forming Press Machine 101

Updated on Aug 14, 2023

Forming Press Machine

 

Forming metals for rotors, stators, automotive parts, aerospace, home appliances, medical machinery, power grids, and many other industries depend on the use of presses. Presses are capable of producing a large number of identical parts in a short period of time.

Forming Press Machine

1. What is Press Forming

Many people will ask a simple question, "What exactly is press forming?" In press forming, a die is mounted inside the press and the forming material (such as metal) is placed inside the die. The press then applies high pressure (3000 tons of force or more on larger presses) and the material is formed to match the shape of the die. In other words, compression molding is a forming technique in which pressure is applied to the material to deform it (by bending, stretching, etc.) to match the size and shape of the mold, and then the material will retain that shape forever.

The forming operation is continuously repeated to create a large number of identical parts, providing precise and high level parts for many industries.

 

2. What Is A Press Machine

Industrial presses are used in manufacturing plants to form or assemble products by applying pressure.

A metal forming press, also known as a stamping press, is a machine tool used to precisely form and cut metal, usually using upward and downward movements. With a wide range of uses and high productivity, presses can be widely used for processes such as cutting, punching, dropping, bending, riveting and forming. By applying strong pressure to a metal blank, the metal undergoes plastic deformation and fracture to form the part.

A variety of different sizes can be formed using presses, from simple shapes requiring a single process to more complex products requiring multiple processes. The flexibility that press forming offers in terms of product design and size makes it possible to manufacture a wide variety of products.

 

3. Metal Forming Press Process

Forging performed with the help of a press is called pressure forging. It is often referred to as hot pressing and is performed using hydraulic presses or mechanical (crank type) presses.

Press forging is similar to drop forging, but uses a single, continuous, slow squeezing action rather than a series of impacts. Due to the slow stroke and continuous action of the hydraulic press, the deformation penetrates much deeper, resulting in simultaneous and uniform plastic deformation throughout the entire volume of the workpiece. In contrast, in the case of drop-forging, the energy is transferred only to the surface layer of the workpiece.

It is good industrial practice to use forming blanks or preforms so that they can be forged in a single continuous stroke.

 

4. Advantages of Stamp Forming

The advantages of stamping are numerous and will be enhanced by technological advances and further differentiation of press types

  1. High productivity. 

  2. Higher precision.

  3. Smaller die release used for press forging, which can forge more complex shapes with higher dimensional accuracy.

  4. Automatic control of die forging speed, pressure and stroke.

  5. Possibility of process automation through billet feeding and forging removal mechanism.

  6. The operation can be completed in one extrusion, which saves time and is quite efficient.

  7. The plastic deformation penetrates deep into the center of the workpiece, providing uniform and simultaneous deformation throughout the metal.

  8. Press capacity ranges from 500-9000 tons, and the number of working strokes per minute can be as high as 40 or even 50, and high speed presses can reach hundreds.

 

5. Disadvantages of Stamping and Forming

  1. High initial capital cost, although more efficient, but in fact the cost is relatively higher.

  2. Difficulty in descaling the blank is another disadvantage of the process.

 

6. Classification of Presses

Various types of presses of various sizes are available for the various products required by manufacturers. Presses can be classified in the following ways.

  1. By power source

    Presses can be classified as manually driven, mechanical or hydraulic and pneumatic. Manual (hand-operated) fly-edge presses are used to produce small parts requiring simple piercing, undercutting and similar operations.

    These are low-capacity presses, ranging from half a ton to about 10 tons. In the mandrel type presses, a second part is used to reciprocate the punch. The screw is turned by means of a handle, which is fixed to the arm that carries the screw.

    A weight is usually attached to the arm to create a flywheel effect. In a flying screw press, the force is applied on the rim of the flywheel. The helix angle in this press is greater than the friction angle, so that the potential energy of the shaft and flywheel is converted to kinetic energy as the hammer descends.

    This type of press is usually mounted on a workbench, hence the name bench press. These are mainly used for assembling, assembling, stamping and embossing very thin plates with a thickness of less than 1 mm.

    Mechanically driven presses are the most common type, with a capacity range of 5 to 100 tons. The individual parts of this press are the motor, pinion, gears, flywheel, crankshaft and press. They are further classified according to the way the plunger moves. These presses are suitable for all types of press work, except for deep drawing operations that require slow movements.

    Hydraulically driven presses are used for heavy work (forging work, etc.). In hydraulic presses, the force is applied by means of a high-pressure fluid driving a system of cylinder pistons.

  2. According to the principle of power presses

    In a mechanical press, the power comes from a motor driving a flywheel or gear and is transmitted to the indenter by

    1. crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism
    2. Orange
    3. Eccentric
    4. Elbow joint
    5. Joint
    6. Rack and pinion or screw arrangement
    7. Gears

    Crank and eccentric mechanisms are used for single- and multi-action presses, as well as for light and heavy duty work. Their mechanism is very simple. The plunger is carried by a vertical guide at the front and is connected to the crankshaft by a connecting rod, which is carried by a bearing near the top of the front column.

    To provide vertical adjustment of the pressure head, the length of the connecting rod can be varied. Attached to the drive end of the crankshaft is a heavy-duty flywheel, which serves as an energy reservoir. The brake is usually mounted at the opposite end of the crankshaft to smooth out movement and eliminate jerking.

  3. According to the position of Ram

    Presses can be classified as vertical, horizontal or inclined to facilitate handling of working materials.

  4. According to the usage

    Presses can be used for stamping, blanking, drawing, forming, embossing, embossing and other purposes, and presses can be named accordingly.

  5. By frame design

    Press frames are made of high-grade cast iron or steel. The frames are designed in various styles depending on the type of work to be done. Open C-shape presses are available in either rigid or tilting styles.

    The open front end provides sufficient working clearance for the tool and allows access to the press from three sides. It usually consists of a single column at the back of the table. Another possibility is that the two columns at the rear are securely fastened together both at the top and on the bed.

    The tiltable open backrest frame is tilted backwards, which allows the pressure to be removed by gravity between working strokes. In a double-sided press, the bed can be equally accessible from both the front and the back. The press frame is usually square and made of two vertical column plates fixed to the top and bed. In small presses, the frame is usually cast in one piece, while in large presses the individual parts of the frame are held together with the help of tie rods.

    Roughly classified by frame shape as follows.

    1. Straight-sided frame
    2. Arched frame
    3. Gap type frame

 

7. Maintenance of Presses

  • Attention to Safety

    Ensure that the locking/opening process is performed correctly for the safety of maintenance personnel and that the sleeve is placed at the bottom of the stroke before performing brake maintenance work. If this is done, there is no need to lock the sleeve.

  • Maintenance Process

    Including press operators in the process of maintaining the press allows them to alert maintenance or management whenever problems arise. They operate the press every day and can more easily hear or see the signs of problems. Just as driving the same car every day makes it possible to notice unusual noises at first glance, so it is for the operator.

  • Shop Floor Environmental Control

    A clean pressure machine allows the operator or maintenance personnel to detect problems as soon as they occur. Leaks, air leaks, breaks, etc., are simple to locate if the press is clean.

  • Problem Solving

    Only a qualified electrical technician should perform electrical wiring maintenance on the press, but you can still check the light bulb on the press control panel for proper operation, and make sure it is working every shift and correctly displays the status of the various operations performed by the press.

  • Make Sure It's Balanced

    Presses that are precisely balanced work better, so it is best to check them once a year. The pneumatic system, which operates the pneumatic brakes and balancing system, needs to be checked for gas leaks because improper air pressure can affect the performance of the brakes and balancing system, and they control the stopping time of the press, which can put the operator and the equipment in danger if problems occur. In addition, all pneumatic systems have regulators, lubricators and water reservoirs. The water that accumulates in the gas lines should be removed daily.

  • Replacement

    Improper maintenance of the press lubrication system is also one of the main reasons for press downtime. For a number of reasons, many press operators do not change the screen regularly when operating circulating oil systems with screens. You should make sure that the screen is changed at the same time as the oil is changed and that it is changed frequently during the week.

    Read more: Complete Guide to Mechanical Press Maintenance

 

8. Development Trend of Presses

The development of presses is described in two directions: technology and market

  • Press Technology Development

    With the changing market demand, the research direction and production capacity of manufacturers are also changing and progressing. So far, the development trend of high-speed precision presses is as follows.

    Press slides must be wider. The large shape, complex shape, and high geometric accuracy requirements of new energy vehicle motor cores have increased the step and station of the progressive die. In order to save material and improve efficiency, the shape of the stator die must also be larger. Accordingly, the slides of high-speed presses using such dies must also be wider.

    Presses require higher precision. High-speed precision presses are developing at high speed while requiring higher rigidity of the machine body and slide, less table perpendicularity, smaller integrated clearance and higher repeatability of the slide's lower dead point.

    The double-point structure gradually develops to single-row three-point and four-point. With the increase in the number of stations of motor core stamping dies and the increase in the size of stamping products, it is necessary to widen the working surface and increase the impact force. In order to ensure the synchronization between multi-point transmission, three-point or four-point force structure can be used at the same time. Extra wide slider is light and high rigidity. At the same time, the light weight of the slider can reduce the inertia force during the movement and improve the energy consumption of the motor of large tonnage presses.

    The energy consumption of the printing press should be low. Sustainable development is the common goal of human society, and energy saving and emission reduction is the urgent requirement of manufacturing industry. Effective control and reduction of energy consumption not only meets the national requirements and goals of energy conservation and environmental protection, but also brings significant economic benefits to enterprises.

    In conclusion, higher speed, higher efficiency, less energy consumption and more convenient operability are the future development trend of high-speed precision presses and the goal pursued by manufacturers of stamping equipment under the premise of quality assurance.

  • Press Machine Market Development

    Factors expected to drive the press machine market include rapid growth of the automotive industry and innovations in press machines. These machines are mainly used for a variety of applications in the automotive industry. Significant growth in the automotive industry will further drive the demand for presses. This factor is expected to drive the overall market growth.

    North America holds the largest share of the global presses market due to the presence of large aerospace industry in the region. Aerospace is one of the largest and strongest industries in the U.S., providing products for military aircraft, missiles, spaceflight, general aviation, and commercial airliners, thereby increasing the demand for presses. This factor is a major contributor to the growth of the North American press machine market.

    The Asia-Pacific presses market is expected to expand rapidly during the forecast period due to the rise of automotive industry in the region. Emerging countries such as India and China hold a significant share in the automotive industry, which subsequently creates opportunities for press machine manufacturers to expand in the region. This is expected to contribute to the growth of the Asia-Pacific press machine market.

    Read more: High-speed Precision Press Trends 2021

Forming Press Machine

9. How to Choose a Press/Stamping Machine

Selecting a press is a significant investment, so choosing the right press is important for conducting your manufacturing business.

  • Confirm the purpose

    Before selecting a press, it is important to first have a specific product idea to determine if the process to be taken will use the press.

  • Size of the press

    You also need to have a fairly accurate idea of the finished size of the workpiece to be formed, the dimensions of the various parts for the stamping or riveting process, and in particular the ability to correctly select the table size and press opening height.

    To correctly dimension a press, you must define the required tonnage, table dimensions and press opening height.

    The tonnage is calculated according to the type of material to be processed and its thickness, as well as the shape and dimensions of the press tool.

    To define the table dimensions, it is sufficient to know the maximum size of the part to be processed.

    To choose the opening height of the press, you have to select it according to the depth of the press and the height required to remove the workpiece.

    The working speed is also an important factor to consider, especially for mass production. High-speed presses can be selected for special requirements.

  • Tonnage and speed

    For specific metal forming operations, tonnage and speed must be managed to minimize defects and produce high quality parts. Fully programmable hydraulic presses provide repeatable control of forming tonnage and can optimize cycle times. The press should be able to provide the tonnage required to form the metal, but excessive tonnage should be avoided. Exceeding the required tonnage may result in excessive energy consumption and tool wear.

  • Production requirements

    For mass production, it is important to know whether you need a single blow or repeated blows. In the latter case, you may consider a multi-station press that allows you to perform continuous blows in a fully automatic manner.

  • Construction of presses

    All presses can be classified according to their frame design: monoblock or C-frame.

    • Integral presses

      Integral presses offer superior strength and greater resistance to lateral bending. They are more suitable for high tonnages. Among them, you will find presses with 2 or 4 columns, which allow you to limit frame deformation. The more columns you have, the stronger and more accurate the machine will be.

    • C-frame presses

      Presses with a C-frame design can utilize less tonnage but have the advantage of taking up less space. C-frame presses can handle workpieces more easily because the space in front and sides of the press are free. However, they usually require the operator to load and unload parts.

 

10. Where to Buy Presses From

 

Selecting a China Press Manufacturer

Every factory owner tries to find the right machine for production, and presses are no exception. Eventually, they all look to China and choose a Chinese press manufacturer. So why choose a press made in China? Here are 6 reasons why you should choose a Chinese press manufacturer

  1. Refreshing the world's top technology

  2. Advanced Workforce

  3. Growing population and workforce

  4. Relatively better costs

  5. Infrastructure and geography

  6. Stability

Find a Chinese Press Manufacturer Channel

  • Online Platforms

    Online platforms such as Alibaba and Made in China are ideal places for different press manufacturers to market to their customers.

    Manufacturers can often offer you different prices and after-sales services.

    When searching on these sites, you must make sure that you choose a manufacturer and not a distributor or trader.

    Also, do not start a transaction with a specific manufacturer until you have verified their credentials.

    The advantage of having a large number of manufacturers on these sites is that you can negotiate or select the right manufacturer for your automatic power press.

    You also have the opportunity to negotiate the price of your product.

  • Google, Bing Search

    Most of the good press manufacturers have their own websites to advertise their products.

    However, many good Chinese manufacturers do not pay much attention to this or start late, but that does not mean they cannot offer a great product.

    So it may be hard to find them on the first few pages, but you can check out a few pages with a good selection of press manufacturers.

    Or you can add "China" to the keywords to see more Chinese manufacturers.

  • Sourcing Agents

    Many sourcing agents in China are aware of the different press manufacturers in China.

    They know the capabilities and pricing of these manufacturers.

    These are important specifications that your sourcing agent can help you with when looking for a manufacturer.

    Sourcing agents can also save you the hassle of finding a reliable manufacturer, as they usually have a ready-made list for you to choose from.

    The main limitation of using a sourcing agent is the high cost of finding a manufacturer.

    If you place a bet on finding a manufacturer, it is impossible to compare what you pay here with what you might lose.

  • Industrial machinery shows, trade shows and trade fairs

    Whenever a China trade show is held in your country or in China, you should expect Chinese manufacturers to showcase their products.

    This allows you to interact with different manufacturers and ask them about different aspects of their manufacturing process.

    The advantage of this approach is that you can meet face-to-face with a specific manufacturer.

    This allows you to negotiate with the manufacturer on different specifications.

    Common trade shows and fairs in China include: Canton Fair, etc.

    It is critical that once you have reached an agreement with a specific manufacturer, you visit their premises before starting production.

 

11. How to choose a molding press manufacturer

  • How to check if they are a qualified Chinese press manufacturer

    1. A site visit to the factory is the best and most direct way to confirm that they are a qualified and genuine press manufacturer
    2. China press manufacturer order inspection report
    3. Check their audit reports
    4. Ask for customer testimonials
  • Steps to work with a China high-speed press manufacturer

    1. Send your technical package and related documentation to the China press manufacturer
    2. Get a quote from the Chinese press manufacturer
    3. Confirm the price and ask them to start building the product for you
    4. Schedule quality and stress tests according to your needs and ask the Chinese press manufacturer to send you a report for approval
    5. After all tests are passed, mass production is completed and accepted and the product is shipped.
    6. Arrange payment and importation.
  • Suggestions for selecting a China press manufacturer

    • Define your needs

      Industrial metal presses deform metal by means of a die to form or cut metal. Therefore, we need to be clear about our future needs for producing products, such as the materials used to manufacture the finished product, the size and specifications of the finished product, and the specifications of the finished product. Choose from different types of presses such as high-speed presses and precision presses according to your needs

    • Visit and carefully browse the manufacturer's website

      Stamping press manufacturers usually detail their products on their websites, often with more detailed specifications. You can compare them carefully to see if they are the specifications you need. And check out the customer reviews on the website, they can provide you with a more objective reflection.

    • Ask the technical team carefully

      You can try to talk to them to find out if their products are suitable for your production and if the technical team of the stamping press manufacturer is professional. This is important and will greatly affect whether you can work together happily.

      Choosing the right stamping press is a very important step in your production, so check carefully when making your choice.

    • Gain manufacturer experience

      Before understanding your uncertainties, find out what industrial facilities know and which brands they work with. You can visit their official websites and also contact some of their customers to learn about their experience.

      JDM as the best press manufacturer and wholesaler in China, we produce all types of presses for the international market, all our customers come from all over the world, we understand the needs of our customers and we are committed to high quality press manufacturing.

      You can get our one-stop service.

    • Fast delivery

      On-time delivery is important for business production because time costs are also very valuable and early delivery means early production.

      By completing each step of the process on time, producing and approving materials on time, and producing and approving machines on time, we can ultimately deliver on time.

      If you haven't found the right China press manufacturer, please click here to contact us, we are your trusted and professional press manufacturer.

 

12. List of China Press Manufacturers

China Punch Press Manufacturers

  1. JDM JINGDA MACHINE(NINGBO) CO., LTD

  2. NingBo Goanwin Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

  3. World Precise Machinery Group

  4. GoodsJack Hydraulic Press Machinery Co.

  5. Anhui LIFU Machinery Technology Co.

  6. YANGLI GROUP

  7. Harsle

  8. Anhui zhongrui machine manufacturing co., ltd

  9. Zhejiang Jinaolan Machine Tool Co., Ltd.

  10. Dongguan Howfit Precision Machinery CO., LTD.

Click to read more: China Top 10 Stamping Press Manufacturer 2021

 

China High Speed Press Manufacturer

  1. Jdm Jingda Machine(Ningbo) Co., Ltd

  2. Dongguan Guoyi Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.

  3. Yangzhou Metalforming Machine Tool Co.

  4. Howfit Science and Technology Co., Ltd

  5. NingBo Goanwin Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

  6. Shenzhen Lihao Machine Equipment Co., Ltd.

  7. Amax

  8. Dongguan Samhoor Precision Machinery Co.

  9. YANGLI GROUP CORPORATION LIMITED

  10. Chin Fong Machine Industrial Co.

Click to read more: Top 10 China High Speed Press Machine Manufacturer 2021

 

Conclusion

The best forming press solution will be the one that ensures production expectations are met and delivered on time and within budget.

Visit our Forming Presses page to learn more about custom metal forming presses.

Contact us for your forming press needs.

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