Hydraulic press

The hydraulic press is a class of machine tool that was important in making possible the Industrial Revolution. Forming of sheet materials had previous required the material to be formed by hammering and shaping by hand with chisel and mallet. There had been previous press technology (such as the Screw press), but these had significant limitations — the biggest being the obtainable press-pressure. Modern hydraulic presses are capable of pressure at the head of 2,000 tons, and can cold form metal. Anther application of hydraulic presses is the compositing of material in the brick and concrete industry, allowing the creation of complex shapes, and production-line manufacturing.

Applications of the hydraulic principle

• Weighing vehicles. The vehicle is placed on the larger piston, while the smaller piston is attached to an appropriate scale. This is used, for example, to test if a vehicle exceeds the weight limit for bridges.
• Printing serial numbers on bank notes.