Design and Fabrication of a Motorized Twenty-Five (25) Ton H-Type Hydraulic Press

Abstract

This research presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a 25-ton (24,5166.25N) hydraulic press capacity machine to withstand a maximum load of 25 tons without failure. The conceptualized design is fully realized using various equations, simulations, and analysis. Mild steel was used predominantly in the design due to its strength, machinability, and rigidity which falls within the design specification. The low-cost and hydraulically operated press uses a mix of locally and imported sourced materials. The hydraulic press components are the frame column, the working table, the frame, the top support plate, the hydraulic cylinder, the pump, the oil reservoir, the motor, and the directional control valve. In evaluating the performance of the hydraulic press machine, mild and carbon steels of varied thicknesses of 10 mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm were tested. In respect of the mild steels, the pressure gauge recorded 1 MPa, 10 MPa, and 16 MPa after pressing them while that of carbon steels pressed recorded 10 N/mm2, 12 N/mm2and 18 N/mm2. These made corresponding deflections of 30 mm, 40 mm, and 12 mm for the mild steel and 8 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm for the carbon steel. At a pressure beyond 31.5 MPa being the set point of the directional control valve, the motor or pump ceases to work, resulting in the inability of the press to function. The practical test result obtained is devoid of oil leakages, low pressure, abnormal noise, and excessive overheating of the system.