Next Generation Extrusion Presses: Innovations and their Impact

Valentin Gala¹, Felix Lang¹ and André Schulze¹

¹SMS group GmbH, Am SMS Campus 1, 41069 Mönchengladbach, Germany

Abstract. In the past years, developments in light metal extrusion presses have focused on improving energy consumption and achieving peak performance by minimising dead cycle times. As machine and component designs have been highly optimised, there is only limited room for further improvement without new innovations. The next generation of presses must aim to maintain these high standards while offering something new and unprecedented.

The development of a next generation press is presented, which includes simplifying the hydraulic system, electrifying and de-risking the hot working zone of the press. All new key components of this newly developed press and their advantages are analysed. The main parts are a fully electromechanical shear, complete separation of oil free working area and hydraulic drives and a multi-acting cylinder. The press has a reduced fire risk, no oil tank and valves above the press, reduced piping and reduction in maintenance effort. With this, there is 30% less oil in circulation, reducing the hydraulics footprint by 15%. In addition, the installation space for the press and drive units is reduced up to 8% while also offering flexibility.