IRT 3000

content

AP&T’s servo hydraulic press setting a new standard for hydraulic presses — more energy efficient, quicker and easier to maintain

19.09.2018

With the introduction of its unique servo hydraulic press, AP&T has set a new standard in the industry. Short cycle times, high precision, low energy consumption and minimum need for maintenance make this option hard to beat — not only compared to conventional hydraulic presses, but in many cases also compared to servo mechanical presses.

180916-P1Several innovative technical solutions have helped AP&T’s designers combine high performance with low operating costs. First and foremost, the hydraulic system’s control valves have been replaced by servo motors, which means that speed, position and press force are completely controlled electrically. 

“The design has made it possible to limit the number of unique moving parts, cut down on oil volume, reduce pressure in the hydraulic system to a maximum of 250 bar and eliminate the effects of any variations in oil temperature. This lays the foundation for a very robust process with a high degree of availability and repeat accuracy, at the same time that the need for maintenance is substantially reduced,” says AP&T’s Product Manager Presses Patrik Haglund. 

The servo motor solution has also streamlined energy consumption by between 40 and 70 percent, depending on the application. Heat loss generated by pressure valves can be avoided, and some servo motors are used as generators at retardation. The press’ cushion cylinder is also operated by servo motors which work as generators. Braking energy is distributed to the motors used for acceleration and forming through a kinetic storage system and a central direct current converter. Since the energy is stored internally in the press, it is not necessary to use electricity from the grid during peak loads, which results in a lower connection fee. Stored energy surpluses can also be restored to the grid. 

The entire press process is monitored by a closed-loop system, which continuously controls the slide’s movements, quickly corrects any deviations and ensures speed and position with a great deal of precision. Not least, the system actively governs the slide’s parallelism in relation to the press table — a unique integrated function that contributes to both high forming precision and less wear on tooling. 

“The acceleration and retardation speed is an impressive two to three times higher than that of a conventional hydraulic press, thus enabling extremely short cycle times. To maximize production capacity, the press can be synchronized with other servo-driven units for feeding and unloading,” says Patrik Haglund.

Low energy consumption, compact design, high production capacity and repeat accuracy in combination with low maintenance costs make AP&T’s servo hydraulic press a competitive alternative in several areas that have traditionally used mechanical presses.

https://aptgroup.com

ar©tur 2021