Hydraulic Press 3D model

**southshorelocal** · 08-19-2008 11:46 PM

This is a little 3D model that I made in AutoCad 2007 and plan to make the press next summer I will also add two springs to hold up the 15ton air hydraulic bottle jack.

**LB2032at** · 08-19-2008 11:53 PM

Looks sweet! How much is that going to cost you?

**southshorelocal** · 08-19-2008 11:56 PM

i dont know 40 for the jack bunch of metal and cement and wood a good amount but it will be a professional press

**animal** · 08-19-2008 11:58 PM

that is an amazing job man, great job, simple design but looks very effective. keep us updated im very interested in this little project of yours

**jspats40** · 08-20-2008 12:01 AM

damn playa! i would totally kill for somthing like that! sounds quite expensive. how much money this gonna rack up?

please keep us updated.

**southshorelocal** · 08-20-2008 12:07 AM

yea there will be updates on this project and even possibly a step by step tutorial (if I have the time).

but one question, how many boards do you think I could press at the same time?

**Loki440** · 08-20-2008 12:12 AM

for convenience the route ill be going is to have the bottom platen being the one that moves not the top, as your overall height will be less and two just make more sense to me

**southshorelocal** · 08-20-2008 12:14 AM

I think that to put the jack on the bottom would be harder because then it has to push up the cement mold and then add pressure to the board with it on top it will only have to work with gravity to apply pressure

**SteveC** · 08-20-2008 12:16 AM

Wouldn't it simply be a mirror though, I don't really see where/how you'd drop complexity.

(edit, no wait - you'd get to use gravity instead of springs)
(edit2, the top mold would have to be well supported/backed, but that's not really a change.)
(edit3 and the added weight of lifting the bottom half would inherently be equal or less than stretching the springs)

I also think you'll want to use more steel behind the concrete, to reach the same psi on a longboard there's a lot more stress going on than there is on a shortboard press.

**Loki440** · 08-20-2008 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by southshorelocal

I think that to put the jack on the bottom would be harder because then it has to push up the cement mold and then add pressure to the board with it on top it will only have to work with gravity to apply pressure

that is correct but you also have to factor in how much weight difference there will really will be as in this application aforce is a foce its still gonna put those pressures between those two sides, as in if your gonna be putting 30000lbs or force on the mold is that extra 80-120lbs for the mold really gonna matter, plus it will cause your insertion poitn to be off the ground thus easier on you.

but think of it like a car jack, it will be esy to seperate the two when the time comes becasue there will be weight on the cylinder, where as if done in reverse you have to find a way for it to stay up, aka springs or what not, which then adds on those extra pounds in not more anyways

edit: steve beat me to the same point

**legendary** · 08-20-2008 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by southshorelocal

yea there will be updates on this project and even possibly a step by step tutorial (if I have the time).

but one question, how many boards do you think I could press at the same time?

A 44 ton jack will press [35] 1/16" plies of maple with no problems so you can extrapolate from there.8)

Since you did not list a material call out, I will just add that you may need to gusset the upper cross beam at the outer ends as a minimum.
You will probably have a 4' or larger span there, and web thickness on the beams needs to be sufficient or braced to keep from deflecting when the jack pushes on it.

As long as you are young, having the pressing area down lower is not a problem. It is a catch 22, as if you raise it, you need to bring the forms up higher. Design your press so that you can roill the forms in on a rolling cart so that you do not need to lift them up.

Also design a safety mechanism for the upper section so that you can lock out the springs and hold the upper section in place.

Unless you have a permanent location in a well established shop, make sure you design the press to be bolted together so it can be moved easily, or sold easily
vs. a solid welded unit.

**southshorelocal** · 08-20-2008 09:47 AM

Thanks for all of the advice

**southshorelocal** · 08-26-2008 11:01 PM

so here is the new version of the press I put the jack at the bottom as Loki said and it looks good also added more steel support around the concrete (steveC)