A hydraulic forging press, unlike the mechanical flywheel type, creates force through the use of a high pressure fluid. Large hydraulic presses can create 75,000 tons of force.
A hydraulic forging press is a process that uses a vertical ram to apply gradual controlled pressure to a die holding a workpiece.Press forging uses an open or closed die. In open die forging, the die does not completely enclose the work piece. In the closed die method, also known as impression die forging, the die completely surrounds the workpiece.
A forging press applies force using hydraulic or mechanical force. Mechanical is produced by a flywheel that stores energy, which is used to move a ram attached to a crank mechanism. It can apply 12,000 tons of pressure.
The types of forging presses can be further divided by their frame design, which can be straight sided or C frame. Straight side presses have two sides, while C frames have one open side.
The parts of hydraulic and mechanical presses vary though they all perform the same function. Pneumatic presses are similar to hydraulic presses but apply force using air pressure instead of a fluid. Servo forging presses produce high torque using a low rpm motor. The basic difference between a hydraulic press and mechanical one is the flywheel on a mechanical press.