What Can Beat a Hydraulic Press?

Processing materials requires the use of a hydraulic press, an incredibly powerful tool.

Hydraulic presses use Pascal's law to generate high force with minimal effort. They are remarkably simple yet incredibly effective tools that can shape a variety of materials.

1. Motorcycle Batteries

A standard lead-acid motorcycle battery consists of six 'cells,' each composed of lead plates (lead for the negative plate and lead-oxide for the positive) that are submerged in a sulphuric acid mixture.

These cells are then immersed in an electrolyte solution known as 'electrolyte'. Batteries typically feature filler caps to add acid or water and a vent hose to expel gases produced during charging of the battery.

To maximize the life of a lead-acid battery, keep it clean and charge it correctly. If your unit is water-flooded, top off with distilled water every two weeks to a month.

2. Packs of Beer

Craft beer sales have been significantly affected by the advent of hard seltzer and other categories that have taken away some market share from craft beer, yet packs of beer remain popular with consumers. Even so, engagement levels have declined slightly from 2017 levels.

The AB InBev Brewers Collective has put together the 24 Beers of Cheers pack, featuring seasonal favorites. According to Ryan Daley, senior educator at the brewing group, "This collection aims to showcase the diversity of styles and flavor profiles across AB InBev's portfolio."

3. CDs

If you're searching for a secure, predictable way to save money, certificates of deposit (CDs) could be ideal. They pay higher interest rates than savings accounts and money market accounts in exchange for keeping the money deposited with a bank or credit union for an agreed-upon period of time.

CDs offer some advantages over other investments, but there are also drawbacks. For instance, the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates can influence how much banks charge for a CD.

4. Ballistic Gel

Ballistic gel is a testing medium used to evaluate the performance of ammunition. It's made from gelatin mixed with water and then cooled before molding it into its desired shape.

Simulating human tissue with bullets is a useful exercise for testing their expansion and penetration characteristics, as well as to demonstrate the potential outcomes of various bullet designs.

There are several misconceptions about ballistic gel and its application to forensic analysis. One popular one is that disruption seen in a gel block indicates wounding.

5. Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphic locomotive who traverses Sodor's rails. He stars as the protagonist of the long-running television series Thomas & Friends.

Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher created the character in The Railway Series, a collection of children's books published between 1945-1947.

At first, Awdry read the stories in his Railway Series to his son Christopher before bedtime. Eventually, he began recording them for posterity.

Thomas was created in the 1940s and remains a beloved character in popular culture. Despite his reckless attempts at feats that would be too hazardous for him to attempt, he always manages to come out unscathed.

6. Neodymium Magnet

Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnets currently available. Their pull force can often exceed ten times that of ceramic (ferrite) magnets.

They may seem harmless enough, but they can actually be quite fragile and break easily if chipped or crushed. Exercise caution when handling them and keep your hands far away from them when working with them.

Neodymium magnets are typically manufactured through two processes. Sintering creates a strong and durable magnet with high maximum energy product (MGOe). Bonded magnets operate similarly but tend to be less brittle and have lower MGOe values.