Design Methodology for Hydraulic Presses by Static and Dynamic Simulation: A Case Study

Abstract

The design and structural analysis of hydraulic presses is a critical aspect in the metalworking industry due to their essential role in the processes. However, the technical literature shows a significant gap in the integration of analytical methodologies and computational tools, which hinders the comprehensive evaluation of structural designs. Most of the existing studies focus exclusively on one of these approaches, either traditional analytical methods or advanced computational simulations, neglecting the advantages that a combined and systematic methodology could offer. This descriptive research addresses this methodological gap by proposing an innovative approach for the structural design of hydraulic presses, integrating analytical calculations and advanced simulations. Classical analytical methods such as the Cross method and stress-strain equations were first used and then validated by computational simulations in Autodesk Inventor, ANSYS and Ftool, which allowed modeling, simulating and analyzing the structural configuration of the press. This integrated approach allowed the identification of critical stress zones, improving stress distribution and maintaining structural safety standards. The results show that the proposed design achieves a maximum deflection of 1.2 mm and equivalent stresses of 117 MPa under a nominal load of 981,000 N, complying with the limits established for ASTM A36 steel. In addition, the weight of the press is reduced without compromising stiffness, which represents an improvement in terms of efficiency and cost.