Workshop Press – A Look at the Different Types and their Mechanism

A workshop press is one of those tools that your repair shop simply cannot do without. It is very powerful, amazingly functional, and can come in handy on many occasions. You can use it to bend things, straighten out bent things, flatten things, and cut things into any kind of shape you want. Basically, with the right kind of press, you can take any metallic object or sheet and bend it into any shape you want.

The Way It Works

A workshop press basically applies pressure – enormous amounts of it – to change the shape of a metallic object. The pressure applied could range anywhere from as little as 5 tons to as much as 200 tons, depending on various factors including the type of press being used, the kind of metal piece being worked on, and the purpose for which the piece is being shaped up.

The Evolution of the Workshop Press

Back in the old days, the hammer used to be the trusted tool of choice for blacksmiths for the purpose of pressing metal pieces. People literally used to beat metal pieces into the right shape they wanted with their own hands. The invention of the workshop press changed it entirely and reduced people’s workload greatly. Also, with the advent of the press machine, the amount of metal that could be bent and the different kinds of shapes it could be bent into also changed drastically.

A press machine can easily generate more power – by many orders of magnitude – than a human ever could with a hammer. So, the scope of the process changes dramatically in terms of what could be shaped and how much power could be applied to achieve the desired results. Also, working with a hammer is not safe, as someone has to hold the metal piece in its place during the process. With a press, there is no such problem as it requires minimal human intervention and is a lot safer to operate. So, simply put, the advent of the press machine has been yet another hallmark of the industrial age and has changed the lives of many people – who are associated with the industry in any way – for the better.

The Different Types of Presses

Workshop press machines can be broadly classified into three different types based on the way they work – hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical.

Hydraulic Press – A hydraulic press works by using the pressure exerted by a liquid – which is oil in most cases. A sealed chamber is filled with the liquid. A piston presses into it, at which point the liquid shifts its position and applies pressure on the base plate, which comes down heavily on the metal piece to be shaped.

Pneumatic Press – A pneumatic press is pretty similar to a hydraulic press in terms of its working mechanism. The only difference, however, is that it uses air pressure instead of liquid pressure to get the job done. A sealed tube is filled with air, which then exerts pressure on the base plate and causes it to move downwards. Once it moves downward, the air is released through a set of valves, after which the base plate moves up again.

Mechanical Press – A mechanical press, as the name clearly indicates, uses a motor to perform the pressing action. The rotational force of the motor causes the base plate to move downwards rapidly.

Among the different types of presses, the hydraulic press is the slowest and the mechanical press is the fastest. The hydraulic press, on the other hand, is very strong and is capable of exerting a tremendous amount of pressure. It is also the only type of press that can be used for the purpose of hydro-forming, a pressing technique which involves the use of a liquid agent. A hydraulic press needs to be maintained carefully while a pneumatic press requires very little maintenance throughout its lifespan.

Each type of workshop press has its own sets of pros and cons and is highly functional in its own way. So, take a look at the many different options available on the market, compare the presses to each other, make a note of their advantages and disadvantages, consider the price tag of various presses, and choose one that suits your needs best.

Workshop Press – A Look at the Different Types and their Mechanism

A workshop press is one of those tools that your repair shop simply cannot do without. It is very powerful, amazingly functional, and can come in handy on many occasions. You can use it to bend things, straighten out bent things, flatten things, and cut things into any kind of shape you want. Basically, with the right kind of press, you can take any metallic object or sheet and bend it into any shape you want.

The Way It Works

A workshop press basically applies pressure – enormous amounts of it – to change the shape of a metallic object. The pressure applied could range anywhere from as little as 5 tons to as much as 200 tons, depending on various factors including the type of press being used, the kind of metal piece being worked on, and the purpose for which the piece is being shaped up.

The Evolution of the Workshop Press

Back in the old days, the hammer used to be the trusted tool of choice for blacksmiths for the purpose of pressing metal pieces. People literally used to beat metal pieces into the right shape they wanted with their own hands. The invention of the workshop press changed it entirely and reduced people’s workload greatly. Also, with the advent of the press machine, the amount of metal that could be bent and the different kinds of shapes it could be bent into also changed drastically.

A press machine can easily generate more power – by many orders of magnitude – than a human ever could with a hammer. So, the scope of the process changes dramatically in terms of what could be shaped and how much power could be applied to achieve the desired results. Also, working with a hammer is not safe, as someone has to hold the metal piece in its place during the process. With a press, there is no such problem as it requires minimal human intervention and is a lot safer to operate. So, simply put, the advent of the press machine has been yet another hallmark of the industrial age and has changed the lives of many people – who are associated with the industry in any way – for the better.

The Different Types of Presses

Workshop press machines can be broadly classified into three different types based on the way they work – hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical.

Hydraulic Press – A hydraulic press works by using the pressure exerted by a liquid – which is oil in most cases. A sealed chamber is filled with the liquid. A piston presses into it, at which point the liquid shifts its position and applies pressure on the base plate, which comes down heavily on the metal piece to be shaped.

Pneumatic Press – A pneumatic press is pretty similar to a hydraulic press in terms of its working mechanism. The only difference, however, is that it uses air pressure instead of liquid pressure to get the job done. A sealed tube is filled with air, which then exerts pressure on the base plate and causes it to move downwards. Once it moves downward, the air is released through a set of valves, after which the base plate moves up again.

Mechanical Press – A mechanical press, as the name clearly indicates, uses a motor to perform the pressing action. The rotational force of the motor causes the base plate to move downwards rapidly.

Among the different types of presses, the hydraulic press is the slowest and the mechanical press is the fastest. The hydraulic press, on the other hand, is very strong and is capable of exerting a tremendous amount of pressure. It is also the only type of press that can be used for the purpose of hydro-forming, a pressing technique which involves the use of a liquid agent. A hydraulic press needs to be maintained carefully while a pneumatic press requires very little maintenance throughout its lifespan.

Each type of workshop press has its own sets of pros and cons and is highly functional in its own way. So, take a look at the many different options available on the market, compare the presses to each other, make a note of their advantages and disadvantages, consider the price tag of various presses, and choose one that suits your needs best.

Wheel Aligner – What Is It and Why Is It Needed?

A wheel aligner is something that most Australians are familiar with. After all, a large number of people in the country depend on their automobiles for everyday transportation and drive around a good deal on a regular basis. Also, Australia is a huge country with roads and highways stretching from one end to another. So, you absolutely need a vehicle for commuting to work and for other purposes. Now, where does a wheel alignment system come into the picture? Let us find out.

What Is It?

A wheel aligner is a machine that adjusts the angle of your car’s wheels. The wheels are adjusted slightly to the left and right to attain the optimal position – in which the wheels at the front and rear end are parallel to each other and are also perpendicular to the ground. When aligned in this manner, the wheels work perfectly and driving becomes a lot easier.

Why Is It Needed?

Driving on poorly maintained roads, filled with potholes, can be a nightmare for two important reasons. First of all, the ride is likely to be bumpy and very uncomfortable. Second of all, it takes a toll on your vehicle. When you accidentally hit a curb or drive through pot holes, your vehicle’s wheel alignment could be affected to a great extent.

When your wheels are unaligned, even to a very small extent, driving becomes considerably more difficult. Some of you will be surprised to know that poor alignment of wheels also affects your vehicle’s fuel consumption greatly. When the wheels are not properly aligned, your car needs more energy than it normally does to keep going. Consequently, it needs more fuel. Your car tyres also get worn down very rapidly. In many cases, poor alignment could end up shortening a tyre’s lifespan by thousands of kilometers, which is a huge waste of money in the long run.

On the whole, it is suffice to say that improper wheel alignment is a problem that can affect your car’s condition badly and is not something you can afford to take lightly. It can make everyday driving a highly unpleasant and uncomfortable experience and shorten your vehicle’s lifespan considerably. This is also why it is essential to keep your wheels properly aligned with the help of a wheel aligner.

The Signs of Poor Wheel Alignment

Does your car keep pulling to one side – either to the left or the right – when you drive? If so, it is one of the surest signs that your wheels could be out of alignment. Does the front end of your car shimmy or vibrate after you hit a bump? If so, it is yet another sign that your wheels, and maybe even some other parts, are not properly aligned.

There are a couple of other signs that you should look out for to find out if your vehicle’s wheels are improperly aligned. Firstly, your steering wheel is not likely to line up straight. Secondly, your tyres, especially at the front end, will show signs of rapid wear and tear. If you notice any of these signs, it is time to get the problem sorted out using a wheel aligner.

When to Get Your Wheels Aligned?

Generally, it is a good idea to check your wheel alignment every 9000 kilometers or so. You could also check your vehicle manual to find out if the manufacturer has specified how often you should get it checked. It is also generally recommended to get an alignment check every time you change tyres.

If you suspect that your car’s wheels are not aligned the way they should be, you should take it to a specialist. The technician will check your car thoroughly and see if there is any problem with the alignment of the wheels. If there is, he will recommend that you get it fixed immediately.

Most of the alignment shops today perform computerized alignments to avoid the possibility of human error in calculating the angles. As a result, the alignment is perfectly done, without any room for even the slightest of errors. So, if you are planning to take your vehicle for an alignment check, make sure you take it to a place that has a state of the art wheel aligner.

Also, it is a good idea to get a four wheel alignment done, which should be easy as most vehicles these days have adjustable realignment settings. With a four wheel alignment, the mechanic can spot tracking problems at the rear end easily and compensate for them by adjusting the front end accordingly.