SELECTING A PRESS

Prior to purchasing a press, it is important to determine which press best fits your application. Kenco Press Specialists can help find a press that will work for you.

Press Selection Criteria:

1. What work is to be done on the press?
   Consider what parts you want to make now and in the future. Don't short change yourself. Allowing for additional capacity now can provide you with production flexibility that will eliminate capital expenditures in the future.
   
   
2. What tonnage is required to make the parts?
   The capacity of a press is determined by its work capacity, torque capacity, and component strength. The work capacity is the energy or sustained force that the press can generate. The torque capacity is the ability of the press to transfer the energy of the flywheel through the drive train to the die. The component strength is the physical strength of the press components needed to handle the load and deflection generated by the performed work. Each Kenco press is engineered so that the torque and component strength is of an ample magnitude to safely generate the designed work capacity.

   When estimating the required tonnage be conservative. Presses in production should operate at no more than 70 to 75% of capacity. This will provide a safety margin in the event of material misfeed, operator error, snap through, etc. and greatly reduce downtime and repair costs.

3. What are the die/tooling dimensions?
   The tooling weight and dimensions may necessitate selecting a higher tonnage press to physically accommodate the die. Other tooling specifications that the press must dimensionally match are: stroke length, shut height, and shank size.
   
   
4. What type of clutch is required for the work?
   There are two classifications of clutches: full-revolution and part-revolution. A full-revolution clutch (roller or pin clutch) when engaged can only be stopped after making a complete stroke cycle. A part-revolution clutch (air clutch) can be stopped and started at any point in the stroke cycle.

Full-revolution clutches can be used where:

• The operator does not have to place his hands in the tooling area to position parts, and…
• The work area can be hard guarded, and …
• Press speed is not excessive, less than 220spm in continuous operation, less than 40 spm single stroking.

If any of these conditions do not exist then a part-revolution clutch should be considered.

Additional criteria that would warrant a part-revolution clutch:

• Use of safety light curtains
• Use of die protection equipment

5. How will the press be actuated?
   The press can be actuated by the operator by a remote source such as PLC or from a feeder. Methods of operator actuation are:
   
   • Dual Palm Buttons requiring the simultaneous pressing of both buttons to initiate a stroke. These can be supplied as standard pressure or the more ergonomic "light touch" switches
   • Foot switch. For this method proper hard guarding is essential, and light curtains with air-clutch equipped presses are recommended.

Answering the above five questions will provide you with your basic press requirements. Additional features can be added to the press to meet your production needs, including:

• Variable Speed Controls to synchronize the press with auxiliary equipment
• Automatic or manual pump lubrication systems
• Supervisory switches for selection of operation modes or operation
• Light curtains
• Power supply requirements [ 115/230/460 vac ]

Call Taber Industries today and speak with a Kenco Press Specialist to determine which Kenco Press is right for you!