Quick Facts
| Type of Press | Hydraulic Rubber Pad Forming | ||
| Tonnage: | 400 Tons | ||
| Industry | Aerospace | ||
| Maximum Tool Height | 5" | ||
| Special Features | Bed shuttle Encapsulated rubber pad box Mechanical pad extraction system PressLink module for remote support | ||
| Challenge | Create a reliable, cost-effective press that would support growing production demands. | ||
| Solution | The press is designed for Infinite Life in accordance with rigorous simulation analysis through FEA (Finite Element Analysis) design testing. A heavy duty box beam design provides superior rigidity, and a modular tie rod assembly utilizing pre-tensioning nuts ensures optimum performance. The 38” x 60” bed bolster can accommodate a variety of different parts in a single forming cycle. | ||
| Challenge | Reduce the amount of manual handwork required for each part. | ||
| Solution | The fully encapsulated rubber pad box creates clean, crisp parts that are near net shape, virtually eliminating handwork. | ||
| Challenge | Improve workplace safety. | ||
| Solution | A 38” deep bed with a bed shuttle allows the operator to load and unload larger parts while remaining clear of the ram. Bolt-on expanded metal safety guards cover the side openings of the press. | ||
| Results | By virtually eliminating handwork and utilizing pre-programmed part “recipes” saved in the HMI, Milford has improved part production time by approximately 20%. |
Since 1947, Milford Fabricating Co, Inc. has been producing custom parts and assemblies for leading aerospace manufacturers. The 62,000 sq. ft. facility located in Milford, CT specializes in laser processing, punching, forming, machining, welding, heat treating and assembly of a variety of aerospace components. When it came time to replace their aging press, they looked to Beckwood for a cost-effective, yet versatile forming solution for their low-volume, high-mix family of parts.
After a consultation with Beckwood, during which Milford’s part family and future growth plans were reviewed by aerospace forming experts, Beckwood proposed a high-performance rubber pad forming press to meet their specific needs. Size, pressure, daylight, pad box depth, ram speed and rubber pad durometer were factored into the custom build.
The 38” x 60” rubber pad acts as a universal female die, conforming to any shape placed within the forming area on the lower platen. With such a large forming area, users can generate multiple parts in a single cycle, ultimately reducing the overall cost per part.
“We run anywhere from 30 to 40 different part numbers on the press in a given day,” said Joe Connolly, Operations Manager at Milford. “We estimate we are saving 20% or better in production time for each part.”
With 400 tons of force and integrated 15” deep urethane pads, Beckwood’s rubber pad press is able to provide ample forming pressure on parts up to 5” tall without excessive stress to the pads.
The fully encapsulated rubber pad box allows for maximum pressure transfer, improving the overall part quality and reducing scrap rates. Additionally, the mechanical pad extraction system allows for faster, safer, and more reliable changing of the rubber pads.
“Beckwood’s design assistance was the tipping point for our purchase decision,” said Connolly. “If I was ever in the market for another machine I wouldn’t even consider anyone else. I’d go straight to Beckwood.”
Explore Beckwood’s Rubber Pad Press Solutions
Speak to a Beckwood Engineer