10 Key Benefits of C-Frame Punching Press
One form of hydraulic press that is frequently utilized is the C-frame press. The shape of the press itself is what gives these presses their name. In comparison to other custom metal fabrication tooling, C-frame presses are made to occupy less floor area while still offering excellent usefulness and little stroke deflection.
C-frame presses are incredibly adaptable and have a wide range of applications in a variety of sectors, just like other hydraulic presses. In general, a range of various tooling can be used on C-frame presses to enable bending, punching, cutting, or straightening operations. Here are key benefits of C-frame punching press.
- Full Throttle Stroke
Anywhere along the stroke, a C-frame punching press’s entire force can be applied. It’s not just at the bottom, like with mechanical presses. There are no adjustments for less tonnage at the top of the stroke.
For instance, when sketching, you can use the press’s maximum force right at the top of the stroke. In order to reach 100 tonnes throughout the stroke, you don’t need to purchase a 200-ton press. Faster setup times and the absence of the time-consuming task of adjusting the stroke nut on the slide to accommodate various dies are other benefits.
- Built-In Overload Protection
No matter what setup errors you make, a 100-ton C-frame punching press will only exert 100 tonnes of pressure. You don’t need to be concerned about damaging the press, overloading it, or shattering a die. There is no further pressure once a hydraulic press reaches its preset pressure. At that point, the relief valve opens and overloading is not a concern.
- Low Operating Costs
You might be surprised by the large cost advantage that hydraulic presses have over mechanical presses of equivalent sizes given their relative simplicity and ease of use. There aren’t many moving parts, and those that are there are completely lubricated by an oil flow that is under pressure.
When they do happen, breakdowns are typically not as serious as, say, a broken crankshaft. Packing, solenoid coil, and occasionally valve replacements are typical maintenance tasks. These components can be easily replaced without disassembling the machine and are also inexpensive. More uptime and less expensive maintenance follow from this.
- Larger Capacities
In C-frame punching press, various types of capacity are simpler and less expensive to purchase. 12, 18, and 24 inch stroke lengths are typical. Adding extra stroke length is simple. Adding open gap (daylight) is also rather inexpensive. The same is true for smaller presses with spacious beds and greater table spaces. There are large 200-ton presses with relatively small beds; the size of the bed is not determined by the press’s tonnage.
- More Control Flexibility
The power of a C-frame punching press is constantly under control. To suit a given task, the ram force, direction, speed, force release, and pressure dwell length can all be changed. Lower pressure can be used to complete tasks requiring light dies. The ram can be set to move quickly in the direction of the job before slowing down before striking it.
Thus, tool life is increased. To fit the task, timing devices, feeders, heaters, coolers, and a number of auxiliary functions can be added to the sequence. Presses powered by hydraulics are much more versatile than simple up-and-down motion.
- Greater Versatility
Within its tonnage range, a single C-frame punching press is capable of performing a wide range of tasks. Deep draws, shell reductions, urethane bulging, shaping, blank and piercing, stake, punch, press fitting, straightening, and assembly are frequently observed processes.
In addition, they’re employed in powered metal forming, abrasive wheel forming, bonding, broaching, ball sizing, compression molding of plastic and rubber, and ball sizing.
- Quiet
When compared to mechanical presses, hydraulic presses are quieter generally due to fewer moving parts and the lack of a flywheel. Even with the pump operating at full pressure, pumping equipment that have been correctly sized and placed meet or exceed current Federal noise limits. Noise levels can be regulated because each stage of the ram movement is controllable. You can command a hydraulic ram to move through the work silently and gently.
- More Compact
The dimensions of a standard 20-ton hydraulic press are 8 feet tall, 6 feet deep, and 2 feet broad. Only ten feet high, nine feet deep, and just over three feet broad is a 200-ton press. Only 50% more floor area is needed for the 200-ton press, which has 10 times the capacity. In comparison to mechanical presses, hydraulic presses get less and less expensive over time.
- Lower Tool Costs
The tools also include built-in overload safety. There is no risk of overloading them injuring them if they were designed to support a specific load. Instead of a specific press, tools might be sized to bear the load of a certain job. To suit the task, the press’s pressure can be adjusted. Longer tool life is encouraged by the absence of impact, stress, and vibration.
- Safety
Nobody should or won’t make the argument that C-frame punching presses are less dangerous than mechanical presses. If the controls and safety features built in are operated properly, both types of equipment are intended to be safe.
All machines have the potential to be harmful when utilized improperly. The ability to control ram movement, however, makes hydraulic presses simple to make safe. Dual palm button controls that are non-tie down and anti-repeat are employed. The design of a hydraulic press control system makes it very simple to interlock guards and other safety equipment.
Design of C-Frame Press
Despite possible changes, the basic structure of a C-frame press consists of a steel framework, a hydraulic cylinder, and upper and lower platens. The slide table and the bolster table are alternate names for these. The C-frame punching presses are ideal for stamping applications because the press’s frame is typically built of steel due to its advantageous properties and strength.
The press can readily handle a variety of applications that involve various material forms and sizes thanks to the C-three frame’s open sides. Although there are rare exceptions, C-frame presses are frequently used for applications that call for smaller bed diameters and lower tonnages. Even though there may be some design variances, machines are made to work either manually OR automatically, giving the choice of high volume or short run production.
Common Applications of C-Frame Press
Stamping is one of the more widely used applications accommodated by C-frame punching press. Stamped components from the C-frame press are created during the stamping process utilizing sheet metal made of copper, titanium, stainless steel, or aluminum. The parts from the inserted sheet metal are shaped using a press tool called a die. The sheet metal is subsequently forced into the die by the ram, giving it the desired form.
Conclusion
The simplest and quickest method for notching or punching holes in metal is with unitized C-frame punching press. There is no need for expensive or time-consuming custom press tooling as there are a wide selection of C Frames with different throat depths that can pierce a variety of metals.
When punching aluminum extrusions, tube and pipes, flat and structural elements, C Frames are the simplest method. Simply use a hydraulic ram, press brake, or stamping press to force the punch into the metal.
