Beckwood to Build 1500-Ton Hydraulic Press for Hendrickson USA
April 12, 2023Comments
Beckwood Press Co., St. Louis, MO, manufacturer of custom
hydraulic and linear-servo presses, automation systems and sheet-hydroforming
equipment, has been awarded a contract by Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Woodridge,
IL, to engineer and build a 1500-ton hydraulic stamping press to blank, deep-draw,
and form parts for the transportation industry. Hendrickson manufactures medium-
and heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric, and air suspensions, integrated and
non-integrated axle and brake systems, tire-pressure control system and more,
supplying OEM manufacturers in the trailer, truck and bus industries.
To meet Hendrickson’s need for a press to increase capacity, improve programmability and offer more flexibility with increased tonnage, Beckwood will custom-engineer a press that will feature an eight-point square gib guidance system for maximum parallelism, and a 50 by 160-in. working area. Because high-tonnage blanking causes large amounts of breakthrough shock, press-mounted hydraulic dampers will be included to increase damping capacity from 70 to 90 percent. Also included: a 12-in. damper-height adjustment to allow for flexible die-working heights, and vibration pads on the feet of the press. And, the hydraulic power unit will be isolated from the press structure to reduce shock transfer to sensitive components.
Beckwood will outfit the press with a hydraulic bed cushion featuring dynamic cushion control, which allows all five cylinders to be controlled independently at 30 tons each. This level of programmability reduces wrinkling and tearing during intricate draw work, say company officials. A high-speed Delta motion controller adds to the flexibility, offering increased force and positional accuracy while reducing the minimum tonnage capacity.
To ensure operator safety during die changeover, a Sitema ram safety catcher system and rod lock will provide redundant visual and load holding of the ram while the press sits idle. And, light curtains will be included at the front of the press and hard guarding covering rear and sides.
View Glossary of Metalforming Terms
See also: Beckwood Press Company
Technologies: Stamping Presses
