7,000,000 lb Platten press

[JamesBarlow]

I have been given the task of designing a 7,000,000 lb platten press. This is by far the largest machine we have ever made and I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with machines of this size.

Our current machines use adjustable plattens with the final force being applied with a single hydraulic cylinder.

I am researching some alternatives such as using multiple cylinders, driven ball screws, or even a cam/lever system to produce the force.

We also use tie bars to contain the force.

Any advice, or a nudge in a general direction would be appreciated.

 

[GregPerry]

Sound like you are on the right path already.

Check out the linkage system (toggle arrangement)on a plastic injection molding machine.

Greg

 

[electricuwe]

To me that doesn't look like an impossible tas. I have seen a press for aluminium extrusion capable of providing a force of 120 MN (12000 ton) using a single hydraulic cylinder with a diameter of about 2m. I do not know the details since it was my job to get the billets hot before extrusion, but this press was built several decades ago. Such type of equipment tends to be extremely heavy and extremely expensive.