Category: Air Over Oil Press

Among the many types of presses available, the air-over-oil press offers a unique combination of power and simplicity, as well as energy efficiency and lower costs. But, it can be difficult to determine when an air-over-oil press is ideal. Let’s take a look at what air-over-oil presses are, how they work, and when to choose an air-over-oil press for assembly applications.

What is an Air-Over-Oil Press?

An air-over-oil press, also called a hydropneumatic press, combines the simplicity of pneumatic systems with the precision and power of hydraulics. This combination allows manufacturers to achieve smooth, consistent force with a compact and relatively cost-effective system. Unlike standard pneumatic presses, which can sometimes lack the precision required for delicate assembly tasks, the hydraulic oil in an air-over-oil system provides stability and accuracy even at higher pressures.

Because of its hybrid nature, an air-over-oil press can also deliver higher force output than a purely pneumatic system while maintaining better energy efficiency and using less oil compared to fully hydraulic systems. This makes it a versatile solution for a range of factory assembly needs.

How Does an Air-Over-Oil Press Work?

The air-over-oil press operates in two main stages. First, compressed air is introduced into the system, pressurizing the hydraulic oil in the reservoir. This pressurized oil is then directed into the hydraulic cylinder, which moves the ram to perform the pressing action. This two-stage process allows for fine-tuned control over the force applied, making it possible to perform tasks that require substantial power. Additional systems, such as force and distance monitoring systems, can offer even more fine-tuning to detect defective parts during the pressing process, preventing costly field-failures.

Air-over-oil presses also allow for variable stroke speeds, which means the press can operate quickly for light tasks or it can slow down for jobs requiring greater accuracy. Additionally, many air-over-oil presses are equipped with features like pressure gauges, adjustable stroke lengths, and programmable controls, offering even more flexibility in assembly applications.

C-Series
Air Over Hydraulic Press

Applications: Bushing/Bearing Insertion, Stud Insertion, Swaging, Trimming, Marking or Character Stamping, Assembly, Notching, Joining, Forming, and Fastening

AH-Series
Hi/Lo Air Over Oil Press

Applications: Riveting, Crimping, Punching, Swaging, Trimming, Marking or Character Stamping, Assembly, Notching, Joining, Forming, and Fastening

When to Choose an Air-Over-Oil Press for Assembly Applications

Air-over-oil presses are versatile and well-suited for many assembly applications, particularly those that demand a balance of precision, controlled force, and repeatability. Below are some examples of tasks where these presses excel, along with specific scenarios to highlight their advantages.

Delicate Assembly Work

Air-over-oil presses are ideal for delicate assembly tasks where precision and control are critical. For example, when assembling sensitive electronic components, such as circuit boards or sensors, excessive force or sudden impacts can damage the fragile parts. The smooth and controlled motion of an air-over-oil press minimizes these risks, ensuring the parts are pressed or joined without damage. Similarly, these presses are often used in the assembly of medical devices, such as syringes or inhalers, where consistent results and a gentle touch are essential to ensure product safety and functionality.

Metal Stamping and Forming

For light to medium metal stamping or forming applications, air-over-oil presses provide the steady force needed to shape or cut metal components with precision. For instance, in the production of small brackets, connectors, or enclosures for electrical equipment, air-over-oil presses deliver clean cuts and uniform shapes. They are also commonly used for shallow metal embossing, where patterns or logos are stamped into sheets of metal without compromising the material’s structural integrity. The press’s ability to maintain consistent pressure ensures high-quality results, even for intricate designs.

Plastic Joining and Bonding

Air-over-oil presses are widely used for pressing plastic components together or bonding them during assembly. For example, in the automotive industry, they are employed to assemble plastic parts such as dashboard components or trim pieces, where precise alignment and consistent force are crucial to achieving a seamless fit.

Air-over-oil presses are also effective in ultrasonic welding applications, where the press applies controlled pressure while ultrasonic vibrations create a strong bond between plastic parts. The ability to finely adjust the press’s stroke length and force ensures that delicate plastic materials are not over-compressed or damaged during the process.

Press-Fit

Press-fit jobs, where one component is inserted into another with a precise fit, is another area where air-over-oil presses excel. A common example is inserting bearings, bushings, or dowel pins into machined parts, such as engine components or industrial machinery. The controlled motion of the press ensures that the parts align correctly and press into place without tilting, cracking, or excessive force.

In the aerospace industry, air-over-oil presses are often used for assembling precision components where even minor deviations could lead to performance issues or failures. The combination of accuracy and repeatability makes these presses an excellent choice for press-fit tasks.

Why Choose an Air-Over-Oil Press for These Jobs?

The air-over-oil press stands out for its ability to balance precision and power. Its advantages over purely pneumatic or hydraulic systems include:

• Energy Efficiency: Because compressed air drives the system, hydropneumatic presses use less energy compared to fully hydraulic systems, especially in applications where high force is only needed intermittently.
• Cost-Effectiveness: These presses are typically less expensive to purchase and maintain than full hydraulic systems, making them an excellent choice for factories seeking high performance without breaking the budget.
• Compact Design: Air-over-oil presses are often more compact than equivalent hydraulic presses, allowing them to fit into tighter spaces on the factory floor.
• Enhanced Precision: The use of hydraulic oil ensures consistent, smooth motion, even during high-force applications, making these presses ideal for jobs that require tight tolerances.
• Grows With You: With a wide range of force output and a number of features increasing their versatility, air-over-oil presses will be able to grow with your factory. These presses can perform different tasks and work with different materials as you expand your jobs and capabilities.

Choosing the right press for your assembly application is critical to ensuring efficiency, precision, and cost savings. Air-over-oil presses provide a great balance of power and precision, making them ideal for a wide range of light to medium assembly tasks. Their versatility, energy efficiency, and compact design make them a valuable addition to any production line. If your looking for an air-over-oil press for assembly applications, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about highly efficient, cost-effective air-over-oil presses.

An air hydraulic press, otherwise known as an air-over-oil or hydropneumatic press, is a powerful type of industrial press used in a wide variety of manufacturing and assembly applications. There are many advantages to these presses and if you’re considering a new press for your business or manufacturing operation, an air-over-oil press may be a perfect fit. Let’s take a look at the advantages of an air hydraulic press, as well as how these presses work.

What is an Air Hydraulic Press?

An air hydraulic press uses a combination of compressed air and compressed hydraulic oil to generate force for pressing, forming, or stamping operations. Unlike traditional hydraulic presses, which rely solely on pump driven motors to move hydraulic fluid for their cylinder operation and are powered by high-voltage energy supply, air-over-oil presses are powered by compressed air and either pneumatically or 110vac controlled.

Air over oil presses are highly efficient compared to a full hydraulic press. They do not require a pump, motor or large hydraulic reservoir. Instead, they rely on a small amount of self-contained hydraulic oil to provide the necessary power, speed, and precision for a wide range of applications.

AH-Series Hi-lo Hydropneumatic Press

How Does an Air Hydraulic Press Work?

In an air hydraulic press, compressed air is used to drive a pneumatic cylinder or a section of that cylinder to extend or cycle the press. At some point in the extension of the cylinder, the self-contained oil is intensified or compressed, allowing the press to generate a consistent high-pressure fluid power stroke.

The air hydraulic press typically uses a pneumatic control system that regulates air pressure and flow to control the speed and force of the press stroke. Additionally, the hydraulic intensified system provides smooth and consistent force application, ensuring uniform part quality and accuracy in manufacturing processes.

Air-Hydraulics C-Series Air-Over-Oil Press

Air-Hydraulics Inc. provides a proprietary and unique press model which innovates on the common hydropneumatic press functionality to enable a full power stroke. This is our C-Series Air-Over-Oil press line.

Learn more about a hydraulic intensified booster cylinder to power your press
See how it works »

Advantages of an Air Hydraulic Press

Now, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of an air hydraulic press. The air-assisted operation of the hydropneumatic press provides a number of benefits over a hydraulic press which are important to consider when choosing a press.

1. High Speed and Efficiency

One of the advantages of an air-over-oil press is its ability to deliver quick cycling speeds and high production rates. By incorporating compressed air into the press operation, it can achieve faster approach, dwell, and return speeds compared to some traditional hydraulic presses. This increased speed and efficiency result in shorter cycle times and higher throughput, ultimately maximizing productivity and reducing manufacturing costs.

2. Easy Installation and Setup

Air hydraulic presses have a simple installation and set up when compared to other factory press equipment. It’s as easy as installing a properly sized compressed-air line hook up into the lockout valve and plugging the electrical control package into a common 120vac outlet. Some machines don’t have an electrical control package at all and simply require the compressed-air line hook up. Compare this with the costs required to get 3-phase power set up for other types of factory press equipment. Since our air-over-oil presses require very little hydraulic oil, they arrive pre-filled and ready to go, whereas hydraulic presses will require filling with hydraulic oil upon arrival, and testing to ensure the press is in proper working condition before running.

3. Energy Efficiency

Air-over-oil presses are known for their energy-efficiency compared to hydraulic presses. By harnessing the power of compressed air, these presses can achieve high force capabilities without the need for continuous electrical power / high-voltage energy supply. This results in reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs compared to traditional hydraulic presses, making air-over-oil presses a sustainable and cost-effective solution for manufacturers.

4. Versatility and Flexibility

Air hydraulic presses are versatile machines that can be adapted to a wide range of manufacturing applications and industries. They can accommodate various tooling configurations, part geometries, and materials, making them suitable for diverse production needs. Additionally, the flexibility of the pneumatic control system allows for quick setup changes and easy integration into automated manufacturing lines, enhancing production flexibility and scalability.

5. Quiet Operation and Minimal Maintenance

Unlike some hydraulic presses, which can be noisy and require frequent maintenance, air hydraulic presses are known for their quiet operation and minimal maintenance requirements. The pneumatic components of the press are often more durable and reliable, resulting in reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs over the press’s lifespan.

The benefits of an air hydraulic press include efficiency, consistent performance, smooth operation, versatility across applications, and quiet operation with less maintenance. These advantages make air hydraulic presses an attractive choice for manufacturers seeking to optimize their pressing operations and enhance productivity. To learn more about air-over-oil presses, including the C-Series Air-Over-Oil press line or hydraulic intensified booster cylinder, contact us today.

Rotary index tables can help to improve a wide variety of manufacturing processes with simple automation for positioning and indexing. The ability to quickly rotate and position a workpiece or component has made it possible to speed these processes up, while also improving accuracy. Indexing, or positioning, tables can be electrically driven, servo driven or pneumatically powered. Let’s take a closer look at pneumatic rotary index tables, and what processes they might be used for.

What is a Rotary Index Table?

A rotary index table is a mechanical device used in manufacturing and machining processes to position and rotate workpieces at specific intervals during a production cycle. It is primarily used to improve the efficiency of operations by allowing precise, automated positioning of the workpiece. This makes it possible to perform multiple operations without the need for manual repositioning, thus speeding up the process and improving accuracy by removing human error.

How Does a Rotary Index Table Work?

The basic design of a rotary index table consists of a circular platform that can rotate about its center axis. The workpiece is securely mounted onto this platform, and the table then turns the workpiece to predetermined positions.

The rotary index table works by integrating with another process through a control system. The control system governs the movement and indexing of the table, ensuring accurate positioning for each operation. Some rotary index tables are manually controlled, while others can be synchronized with the overall manufacturing control system and for fully automated production.

9 Manufacturing Processes that Benefit from Pneumatic Rotary Index Tables

A rotary index table is a versatile tool that can enhance a variety of manufacturing processes, making the process faster and more accurate, with fewer defects. Electric or servo driven rotary index tables can be applied to many of the following processes, but there are clear advantages in terms of efficiency and setup for using a pneumatically powered indexing table, over an electrically operated unit. Pneumatic indexing, or positioning, tables also come at a much lower investment cost than their electric or servo driven counterparts. The following manufacturing processes can benefit from pneumatic rotary index tables:

1. Machining and Milling

Rotary index tables are commonly used in machining and milling processes to work on multiple sides of the workpiece in quick succession. The ability to rotate the workpiece to different positions quickly makes it possible to work on multiple faces without the need for manual repositioning. This way, even complex components can be completed quickly. The rotary index table can automatically move the workpiece as needed, which reduces the need for manual intervention or monitoring.

2. Assembly

Assembly can significantly eat into production times. Rotary index tables can speed up this process. In assembly lines, rotary index tables can be used to position components for assembly to a specific location for the next operation. When fitting pieces together, adding fasteners, or completing other tasks, a rotary index table will move parts quickly at the appropriate time and location. This ensures a constant and accurate workflow of the assembly process.

3. Inspection and Quality Control

Quality control is essential to ensure defective products do not make it into circulation. For thorough inspection, a rotary index table can be used to present different surfaces of a product to inspection equipment or cameras. This allows for comprehensive quality control checks, ensuring that each aspect of the product meets the specified standards.

4. Welding

Welding operations benefit from rotary index tables by allowing exact positioning of parts for a welder to approach at various angles. This is particularly useful for fabricating complex structures where welding needs to be performed on multiple surfaces.

5. Engraving and Marking

Rotary index tables are valuable in engraving and marking processes. The ability to rotate the workpiece enables consistent and accurate marking on different sides, contributing to efficient product labeling and identification.

6. Laser Cutting and Etching

Laser cutting and etching processes can be improved with a rotary index table by enabling the laser to access different areas of a workpiece. This is particularly beneficial for intricate designs or for making multiple cuts on various surfaces.

7. Grinding Operations

In grinding applications, a rotary index table can be utilized to present different surfaces of a workpiece to the grinding wheel. This allows for uniform material removal and precise shaping of the part.

8. Painting Applications

Rotary index tables can also be used for various painting or preparation applications. Similarly to grinding applications above, a positioning table can present different faces of a part automatically to be sandblasted or sprayed with paint evenly. For sandblasting applications, this speeds up the process, and for painting, this offers the added benefit of removing any part handling until the evenly applied paint has set and dried.

9. Hazardous or Explosion-Proof Applications

For manufacturing applications within hazardous environments, where explosion-proof equipment is necessary, pneumatic rotary indexing tables have a clear advantage over servo or electrically driven positioning tables. Manufacturing environments with ignitable, flammable, or combustible atmospheres often prohibit the use of electricity, as any spark could cause an explosive reaction. For these environments, pneumatically powered indexing tables offer the benefit of simple automation within explosion-proof requirements.

In summary, the versatility of rotary index tables makes them a valuable asset in various manufacturing processes, offering enhanced precision, efficiency, and flexibility in the production of complex components and products. To learn more about pneumatic rotary index tables across different pressing processes, including stamping, joining, marking, and more, contact us today.

If your Air-Hydraulics C-Series Press isn’t performing consistently, or it is not reaching the proper pressure, air may be trapped in the hydraulic system, causing cavitation. Bleeding the press can eliminate the cavitation and restore the press to normal. Let’s take a look at how you can identify cavitation and the specific operation for bleeding the C-Series Air-Hydraulics press.

Already know cavitation is the issue? Jump right to the bleeding procedures.

 

Identify Cavitation

First, it’s important to identify that cavitation is indeed the problem that your press is experiencing. If another issue is at work, bleeding the press won’t be very effective in solving the problem. Or, it might provide only a temporary solution, and cavitation may occur again if the source of the problem isn’t fixed.

Check valves, seals, and other wear parts to be sure they are in good working order. Check that the machine’s fasteners are secure, and haven’t loosened from repeated use. Monitor the oil reservoir at the top of the press, check the lines, and make sure all parts are working properly.

What Does Cavitation Look Like?

How do you know if your press is experiencing cavitation? As previously mentioned, cavitation occurs when air becomes trapped in the hydraulic system. These air bubbles might get trapped if something interrupts the flow path, such as a plugged filter. Or, if air escapes through a damaged seal, it can introduce air pockets. Damaged or defective seals can cause repeated cavitation.

Cavitation may be occurring if you notice that the smooth movement of the press has become inconsistent. Or, the system might repeatedly fall short of the required pressure. You might also notice a high-pitched whining sound from the press, which occurs as the air pockets collapse and produce a shock-wave. These shockwaves will damage the press over time. The most obvious indicator is that the oil reservoir may appear full or even overflowing. In any of these situations, air cavitation may be the culprit.

Signs of Cavitation:

• Erratic or inconsistent press cycle
• Failure to meet required pressure
• High-pitched whining
• Full or overflowing hydraulic oil reservoir

Aeration is similar to cavitation, but not the same. Aeration is usually caused by an air leak on the suction side that causes outside air to enter the system. If aeration occurs, you might notice an irregular whining sound, or a grinding sound, or both.

What Can Cause Air Cavitation?

Here are a few things that cause air cavitation in the C-Series Air-Hydraulics Press and how to prevent the problem from recurring

• Damage or worn-out seals, air builds into the hydraulic system
  • Solution: replace seals
• Drifting of the press ram, allowing the ram piston and booster piston to not be in sync. This will cause a suction or vacuum effect and drain the oil reservoir
  • Solution: block up ram and or tooling when the press is not in use for a long period of time or when air is shut off to the machine.
• Press ram getting stuck in the down position when the press cycle is returning. This also causes a suction or vacuum effect, pulling air into the system.
  • Solution: bleed press system
• Oil reservoir completely drains, pulling air into the hydraulic system
  • Solution: bleed system and refill reservoir. Add preventative maintenance schedule to check reservoir periodically

How to Bleed Your C-Series Air-Hydraulics Press

Collect Your Materials

Once you’ve identified that cavitation is the problem, you’ll need to gather your materials. To bleed the press, you’ll need the following:

• DTE 24 hydraulic fluid or equivalent
• Wrench
• Shop rags

Lock-Out, Tag-Out

Before performing any maintenance or repair procedures on the press, it’s critical to perform lock-out, tag-out (LOTO) procedures on the control and airline connection. LOTO procedures prevent the machine from accessing energy of any kind, so it is impossible for the machine to function while you are working on it. In addition to lock-out, tag-out procedures, it’s also important to ensure that the ram is fully in the “up” position.

Bleed the Press

Now that it’s safe to work with the press, you can bleed the press. First, locate the cap on the top of the booster, near the back of the press and slowly remove the cap from the booster. When you do, and cavitation is present, you may see the oil start to bubble and foam. You might also see the oil reservoir begin to drain, though you should not let the reservoir drain completely. If the reservoir drains completely, it can introduce additional air into the system. Wait for about five to ten minutes, until the foaming or bubbling stops. Then, refill the booster with Mobil DTE 24 hydraulic oil or equivalent. Then refill the reservoir to the fill line. Replace the cap, and make sure it is secure. Then, remove the lockout tag, and cycle the press several times. If the oil reservoir raises, then you’ll have to repeat the bleeding procedures. If the oil reservoir drains, top it off to the fill line.

Bleeding the press will remove the air that has been trapped in the hydraulic system. To safely bleed the press and avoid damage to the system, this procedure must be done with care. This video will take you through the steps to bleed your C-Series Air-Hydraulics Press.

Step-by-Step C-Series Air Hydraulic Press Bleeding Procedure

Air-over-oil intensifiers, also known as air-oil boosters, are devices designed to amplify the force generated by a pneumatic system by utilizing hydraulic principles. These intensifiers play a crucial role in applications where a higher force is required than what a standard pneumatic system can deliver. Let’s take a look at how air-over-oil intensifiers work, and what benefits they can provide.

How Air-Over-Oil Intensifiers Work

Air-over-oil intensifiers use a combination of shop air, a pneumatic cylinder, and a hydraulic cylinder to intensify the force generated. Let’s see how this process works, step-by-step.

• Compressed air actuates the pneumatic cylinder, which, in turn, moves a piston.
• As the piston in the pneumatic cylinder moves, it displaces hydraulic fluid (oil) from the hydraulic cylinder.
• The hydraulic cylinder typically has a smaller diameter than the pneumatic cylinder. This size difference creates a force multiplication effect.
  Pascal’s law dictates that the pressure in a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions. Therefore, the force applied to the large pneumatic piston transfers to the hydraulic piston, resulting in an increased force output.
• The return stroke of the system is often accomplished using a spring or by allowing the compressed air to push the hydraulic fluid back into its reservoir.
• This allows for a force output on par with that of a hydraulic system within a half-inch power stroke, but with the speed advantages of a pneumatic system. Certain models can achieve a full length power stroke, like in our C-Series Air Hydraulic Presses.

---

Air-Hydraulics offers two lines of Air-Over-Oil Intensifying Cylinders that use shop air to deliver between 2.5 tons to 50 tons of force. Learn more ›

---

Benefits of Air-Over-Oil Intensifiers

Air-over-oil intensifiers combine pneumatic speed and hydraulic force, giving them a number of functional and cost-saving benefits. Here are some key benefits of using an air-over-oil intensifier or air-oil booster.

1. Force Multiplication

The primary advantage of an air-over-oil intensifier is its ability to multiply force. By using the principles of hydraulic systems to amplify the force generated by compressed air, these intensifiers allow for higher forces than what a pure pneumatic system could achieve.

2. Increased Speed

Pneumatic systems are known for their speed and responsiveness. Air-oil boosters maintain this characteristic, providing rapid actuation and quick cycling of the system.

3. Efficiency

The intensification of force allows for more efficient use of energy. With a relatively small input of compressed air, the system can produce a significant force output, making it energy-efficient for applications that require intermittent high force. By contrast, fully hydraulic systems demand high levels of energy.

4. Cost-Effective

Compared to a full hydraulic system, air-oil boosters are more cost-effective. They offer the benefits of hydraulic force multiplication without the need for a large and complex hydraulic system.

5. Flexibility

Air-oil boosters offer flexibility in terms of force control. The operator can adjust the force output by regulating the air pressure, providing versatility for different applications and materials.

6. Compact Design

Air-over-oil intensifiers often have a more compact design compared to traditional hydraulic systems. This compact size makes it possible to fit into small spaces, while still offering a high level of power and force.

7. Intermittent Use

Air-oil boosters are well-suited for applications that involve intermittent use of high force. While continuous operation may lead to heat buildup, in scenarios with occasional heavy-duty requirements, air-over-oil intensifiers offer an effective solution.

8. Reduced Hydraulic Infrastructure

Compared to a full hydraulic system, the infrastructure requirements for an air-over-oil intensifier are typically simpler. Essentially, air-over-oil cylinders need only shop air to operate and hold no more than 1-2 gallons of oil, whereas hydraulic systems rely on reservoirs of 25 gallons or more, which can take up a decent amount of space. Hydraulic systems also require a high voltage power source, as well as a high level of maintenance. Using air-over-oil boosters instead can reduce installation and maintenance costs.

Applications for Air-Over-Oil Intensifiers

Air-oil boosters can improve speed, productivity, and functionality for a variety of different press applications. Here are a few examples of jobs that can be ideal for an air-oil booster.

1. Metal Forming and Stamping

Air-over-oil intensifiers are commonly used in metal forming and stamping processes where high force is required for a short duration.

2. Assembly Operations

Some assembly tasks demand extra force during certain stages. The intensifier provides intermittent high force that can quickly and effectively accomplish these tasks.

3. Pressing and Riveting

Applications such as pressing and riveting, where force is critical for specific stages, can benefit from the force multiplication capabilities of intensifiers.

4. Materials Testing

In materials testing scenarios where controlled force application is necessary, air-over-oil intensifiers provide a balance between precision and efficiency.

While air-over-oil intensifiers offer unique advantages, it’s essential to carefully consider the specific requirements of the application. Factors such as the level of force needed, cycle frequency, and the balance between force and speed will influence the decision to use these intensifiers in a particular manufacturing or assembly setting.

Air-over-oil intensifiers provide a hybrid solution that leverages the advantages of both pneumatic and hydraulic systems. By combining compressed air for speed and hydraulic force multiplication, these devices are valuable in applications where a balance between force and speed is essential.

An air-over-oil press uses a combination of compressed air and hydraulic fluid, to enhance the power of a pneumatically operated press, with the consistent fluid pressing action found in fully hydraulic presses. Air-over-oil press technology accomplishes the increase in power without the use of high voltage power units or incorporating noisy pumps and motors, making this an safer, more efficient and less maintenance intensive option compared to hydraulically powered press machinery.

So how does an air-over-oil press work? And what are the benefits of using an air-over-oil press? Understanding the operation and benefits can help you determine whether an air-over-oil press is right for your next application project.

How Does an Air-Over-Oil Press Work?

An air-over-oil press, also known as a hydropneumatic press, uses both pneumatic and hydraulic technology to drive the press. There are several distinct advantages of an air-over-oil press, which we’ll discuss later in the blog post. But first, how does a typical air-over-oil press actually work? Let’s go through the basic operation of a hydropneumatic press, step-by-step.

• • Riveting
  • Crimping
  • Punching
  • Swaging
  • Trimming
  • Assembly

• • Notching
  • Joining
  • Forming
  • Fastening
  • Marking
  • Character Stamping

Air Hydraulics C-Series Air-Over-Oil Press

Then there is another, less known type of air-over-oil press, our Air-Hydraulics Press, which we refer to as our C-Series Air-Over-Oil line. These presses are uniquely designed to deliver a full length hydraulic intensified power stroke, as opposed to just a limited .500” power stroke. This is accomplished by energizing a single pneumatic or electric power valve to shift and actuate the press’ booster cylinder, compressing the self-contained hydraulics fluid directly into a separate working cylinder (ram cylinder) to intensify the entire press working stroke, just like a full hydraulic press, only powered by factory supplied air.

You can purchase a hydraulic intensified booster cylinder individually to power your custom press machinery.
See how it works »

Advantages of an Air-Over-Oil Press

Now that you know how two different types of air-over-oil presses work, let’s take a look at the advantages of this press technology. Air-over-oil presses offer unique advantages compared to purely pneumatic and fully hydraulic presses. Air-over-oil presses can offer increased control and efficiency compared hydraulic presses and the hydraulic technology also offers additional power compared to many purely pneumatic presses. The combination of technologies also provides a smoother operation, which can be very advantageous for processes that require higher levels of accuracy and control. Look over the following advantages of air-over-oil presses to see if they may better fit your particular operation.

Advantages of Air-Over-Oil Presses Include:

• Increased Power – using self-contained hydraulic fluid power, higher force ranges can be achieved with minimal air consumption. (Up to 50+ tons with our AH-Series and up to 15 tons with the Air Hydraulics C-Series Press)
• Safer – The control package for these air-over-oil press packages only require an airline connection or 120vac power to operate, unlike standard hydraulics presses which require a high-voltage power source.
• Energy efficient – Without the constant power draw of hydraulic pumps and motors, air-over-oil presses require less energy to operate than standard hydraulic presses.
• Quieter – Air-over-oil presses do not require the use of noisy pumps and motors, so they are much quieter than standard hydraulic presses. A small amount of exhausting air is the only noise heard during the actual cycling of the press.
• Less maintenance – Air-over-oil presses require less maintenance than full hydraulic presses. Less maintenance equals less downtime, and more time for production.
• Versatile – Air-over-oil presses are not limited in configuration and can be modified and designed to fit an array of application requirements
• Cost-effective –In addition to being easier to maintain, air-over-oil presses also are much more affordable than full hydraulic presses, meaning a better return on your initial investment.

 

The right designs and configurations of an air-over-oil press can further optimize production for a specific application. If you’re looking for a powerful new press for your shop or factory, contact us. We can help you find or design a press that is powerful, cost-effective, and efficient. If you have questions about air-over-oil presses or other press designs, we’re happy to help.