What Is a Hand Press?
A hand press is a manually-operated tool used to perform tasks such as sheet metal work. They feature a handle or lever that the operator uses to apply localized pressure to the target object.
When using a hand press, the target object is placed in the designated area, and pressure is applied by lowering the handle from above. By switching out the dies affixed to the press, various tasks including cutting, hole punching, and engraving can be carried out. The amount of pressure that can be applied varies depending on the type and size of the press, and there is a range of specialized dies available.
Uses of Hand Presses
Hand presses can be used for anything that can be processed by applying pinpoint pressure to the target part of an object using vertical force. Examples include press-fitting pins, bending thin metal, and processing thin bars. Given their history of use for printing, hand presses can also be used for printing on plastic materials and metal sheets.
In general, hand presses are often used to perform bending and cutting tasks in processes such as assembly or small lot manufacturing. Other uses include attaching fasteners such as rivets and hooks, press-fitting bearings, and crushing.
Principle of Hand Presses
Hand presses feature a detachable, replaceable lever or handle and a spring-loaded core rod housed in an iron body. They are manually operated by lowering the handle or lever to apply local pressure to an object.
When processing with a hand press, the core rod to which the lever is attached is pressed downward, applying targeted, non-dispersed pressure to the object. The spring attached to the core rod ensures that force is applied slowly, requiring minimal effort from the operator.
Handles and levers come in various forms, ranging from staple-like shapes to steering wheels. Hand presses should be selected based on the desired amount of pressure. And because they are susceptible to damage, hand presses must be used on level surfaces.
Other Information on Hand Presses
1. Advantages of Hand Presses
Due to their simple structure, hand presses offer two main advantages. The first is that they are easy to maintain, allowing for long-term use. The second is that they can be operated without electricity, reducing energy consumption and costs.
2. The History of Hand Presses
The history of hand presses dates back to ancient times and extends to the 20th century. The Albion printing press, first manufactured in the 1820s, became widely used until the 1930s. The hand press was modeled after the Albion press, initially for the printing of postcards during the 1910s and 1920s.
The basic function of those early hand presses remains the same in modern hand presses: to apply pressure to imprint an object. But modern presses have undergone many engineering improvements, and can now also be used for other tasks, such as inserting pins and bending or cutting thin rods.
In the modern era, many hand press manufacturers have emerged, offering presses with capacities ranging from 500 kg to 12 tons. Specialized presses operated by steering wheel-like handles, as typified by the Exxon Press, have also been developed.
The most well-known hand press is the Handy Press. It resembles a stapler, which most people are familiar with, making it extremely easy even for first-time users to operate.