What is the difference between pneumatic and mechanical press?

A press is used for shaping and forming a variety of materials. The machine is used for performing many metal tasks like stamping, forging, and die-cutting.

It is classified into two types :

1. Mechanical press

2. Hydraulic press

Mainly, Mechanical presses give high speed for production and Hydraulic press offer more flexibility and are used for the more complex forming processes.

The working concept of Mechanical press:

A mechanical press produces its power mechanically, as the name suggests. The main motor is connected via a crankshaft to the flywheel and the ram. A clutch is used to control the motor in mechanical presses. The flywheel activates the pinion gear system, which rotates the crankshaft.

The motor drives the main system. The flywheels store kinetic energy and transmit it to the rest. The higher energy will be produced by flywheels that have a larger mass. This allows mechanical presses to achieve the highest production speeds. This is especially true when working with flat or simple workpieces.

Simple setup and operation result in fast, repeatable results. Because they don’t require hydraulic fluid to run, mechanical presses are less susceptible to leakage. However, mechanical presses are limited in their application because they lack variable stroke lengths.

The working concept of Hydraulic press:

A hydraulic press exerts a force on fluid, which in turn generates power. It is composed of a piston and a hollow cylindrical. The piston is moved by the pump, which raises the internal fluid pressure. The piston’s axis is then followed by the cylinder. This creates linear momentum which forces the ram onto the workpiece.

Hydraulic machines can produce much more force than mechanical presses. This is because hydraulic pressure and the cylinder bore size are dependent on each other. The power unit plays an important part in controlling the ram speed. Hydraulic presses have a greater range of stroke lengths, which makes them more flexible.

Hydraulic presses can leak despite their many advantages. This is due to fluid mechanics. Hydraulic fluids can catch fire. It has a low operating speed.

Applications :

The following are the uses of the mechanical and hydraulic press:

Functions:

1. Mechanical Press: 

• Forming

• Shaping

• Glassmaking

• Piercing

   2.

Hydraulic Press:

• Sheet Metal blanking

• Forming

• Shaping

• Punching

• Forging

Industries:

1. Mechanical Press:

• Electronics

• Household Appliances

• Furniture

    2. Hydraulic Press:

• Oil and Gas

• Commercial and Marine Transport

• Aerospace

Advantages and Disadvantages :

1. Advantages of Mechanical Press:

• More Productive

• Machine setup is simple

• Environment friendly

   2. Disadvantages of Mechanical Press:

• Limited capacity

• High maintenance cost

   3. Advantages of Hydraulic Press:

• More Flexible

• Lower component price than mechanical press

• Generates full pressing force anywhere during a stroke

   4. 

Disadvantages of Hydraulic Press:

• Risky in leakage

• Comes with low speed than mechanical press

Both have their uses, advantages, and disadvantages. Choose one according to your needs. Rajesh machine tools provides all types of sheet metal machines that your workshop needs, that is Power Press Machine, Hydraulic punching machine, shearing machine, Hydraulic press machines, and many more to explore.

A shop press is a relatively simple machine, but it is essential to a wide variety of industries. From car parts and aircraft parts to plywood and ceramics to cheese and make-up and much more, many of the things we use everyday were formed, fabricated, stamped or compressed by a press. The two most common types of presses are a hydraulic press and a pneumatic press. But what’s the difference between a hydraulic press vs a pneumatic press? And why does it matter? And which do you need?

Hydraulic Press vs Pneumatic Press

What is a Hydraulic Press?

When comparing a hydraulic press vs a pneumatic press, it’s helpful to understand how each functions. So, what is a hydraulic press? How does it work? And how does a hydraulic press differ from a pneumatic press, in terms of functionality?

A hydraulic press uses pressurized liquid, usually a mineral oil, and a series of cylinders and pistons to create force. The liquid cannot be compressed, so it transfers the force to another cylinder and piston when force is applied. Cylinders and pistons of varying sizes working together creates a multiplicative effect, and can create an immense amount of force. This is, partly, why hydraulic systems drive some of the most powerful machines, such as bulldozers, cranes, and heavy-duty shop presses.

Get customized hydraulic presses for your shop