Sutherland Presses, a global leader in the metal forming industry, provides valuable insights and solutions to common issues faced by press operators. One such issue is Reverse Tonnage, also known as “Snap-Through,” which can significantly reduce the lifespan of your press and tooling if not properly addressed.
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Reverse Tonnage is a fact of life in metal forming. However, modern press designs take this into account and can typically tolerate up to 10% of its total tonnage in Reverse Tonnage without adverse effects.
For instance, a 100-ton press should be able to tolerate 10 tons of Reverse Tonnage without ill effects on the press. It’s when the press routinely encounters Reverse Tonnage above this 10% margin that troubles begin.
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So, how do you measure Reverse Tonnage? Today, advanced control systems are available which can measure Reverse Tonnage for you and display it on a screen.
These advanced systems utilize strain gauges attached to the frame of the press in various areas depending on the design of your press. These measurements are very accurate, and the control system can provide you with a readout of reverse tonnage with every stroke of the press in real time.
In addition to understanding Reverse Tonnage, proper press maintenance is crucial to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your press. Sutherland Presses offers a comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Program (PMP) to help you maintain your press in top condition. Our team of expert technicians is ready to assist you in ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your press.
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Remember, if your press is experiencing more than 10 percent reverse tonnage compared to the total press tonnage, it’s time to act. If it reaches 15 percent, you’re in the danger zone, and severe damage to your press is likely. A simple test is to place a quarter on the bolster of the press and die area - if it bounces, you’re in the red-light warning zone.
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Jack Sutherland, President
info@SutherlandPresses.com‍
Sutherland Presses
Sutherland Presses, a global leader in the metal forming industry, provides valuable insights and solutions to common issues faced by press operators. One such issue is Reverse Tonnage, also known as “Snap-Through,” which can significantly reduce the lifespan of your press and tooling if not properly addressed.
