Hydraulic Press Automation Benefits

Hydraulic presses are powerful machines used in a range of industries. From metal forming to food packaging, they have become indispensable tools for many companies.

Although these machines are powerful and dependable, they also need regular maintenance and repair in order to remain optimal. This can be a time-consuming task that causes frustration for operators.

Cost Savings

Hydraulic presses are essential tools in many metal industries, yet they can be costly to run and maintain. Automated systems help reduce costs and downtime while improving productivity.

Hydraulic press technology has advanced, with manufacturers striving to enhance energy efficiency, uptime and automation. These advancements make these machines adaptable and versatile enough for a variety of forming processes.

Servo presses, for instance, require electricity only when they're moving the ram, cutting energy costs by 50 percent or more compared to a hydraulic press.

Southwell noted that servo presses can be quickly and easily programmed for different parts.

Operators can set a recipe and adjust the force and speed of their press to get enough power for their job. Furthermore, they have control over ram direction and pressure dwell time to keep tools secure and prevent overpressure from damaging tooling - helping extend tool life and improve part quality.

Increased Productivity

Automating hydraulic press operations and monitoring their performance is a huge advantage for manufacturers. Not only does this reduce cycle times, but it eliminates the need for operators to manually enter instructions with each job setup.

Southern Manufacturing Group (SMG), of Morrison, TN, suffered electrical damage to its 175-ton hydraulic forming press and automation system and needed a company that could rebuild the press in less than one month.

A major aspect of this project was implementing an automated system with touchscreen commands for operators. This enables presses to work within preset recipes, improving positional accuracy and cycle times alike.

Another advantage of a purpose-built control is its versatility; it can be configured to safely control press stroking and monitor subsystems common to stamping operations. This saves time in the field, guarantees repeatability and increases diagnostic possibilities.

Less Downtime

Maintaining your hydraulic press can extend its usefulness. Making sure the hydraulic system is clean and running optimally will reduce downtime due to unusual noises or vibrations that aren't typical for the machine.

Hydraulic presses are an integral component of many manufacturers' production schedule. If they malfunction, downtime can be a costly issue.

As such, companies must stay on top of routine maintenance and repair. Simple tasks such as replacing parts or lubricating hydraulic systems can save a business thousands of dollars annually.

TG Missouri in Morrison, Tennessee is one of many companies using automatic tool change sensors to guarantee their presses don't start molding operations without proper tool positioning or missing pieces. This results in better quality output with more consistency.

Increased Safety

Hydraulic press automation systems can enhance the safety of your team when operating a press. They make it simple to monitor machine performance and adhere to regulations regarding press worker safety.

Additionally, they ensure the press remains operational so it can perform its intended tasks. A malfunctioning press can severely hinder production and put your team at risk for injury.

When a hydraulic press system fails, extensive repairs may be necessary. This can be expensive and cause disruptions in business operations.

However, hydraulic press automation systems ensure minimal downtime. Furthermore, they don't need to be disassembled for maintenance or repairs either.

Furthermore, these automation systems can measure depth of motion during reversing, enabling operators to anticipate when their die needs sharpening or hydraulics need replacing. When combined with regular preventative maintenance, this helps limit failure before it occurs and keep the machine running safely.