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Why can the four-column hydraulic press become the core force of modern industrial manufacturing?

Jun 12, 2025

1. The core structure and working principle of the four-column hydraulic press

The frame structure of the four-column hydraulic press is the basic guarantee for the stability of the machine. Four high-strength columns are connected to the upper and lower beams by precision threads or hydraulic pre-tightening to form a closed force flow frame. This symmetrical design enables the equipment to maintain good stability when subjected to partial loads, and the frame rigidity is more than 50% higher than that of the single-column hydraulic press. The surface of the column is quenched and precision ground to ensure that the guiding accuracy of the slider movement remains within the standard range for a long time.

 

The hydraulic system is the power core of the four-column hydraulic press. The main oil pump adopts a constant power variable piston pump to adjust the output flow according to the load demand, which saves 30-40% energy compared with the quantitative pump system. The two-way cartridge valve integrated control system replaces the traditional slide valve, shortens the response time to less than 50ms, and reduces the internal leakage by 90%. The large-capacity accumulator group provides a large flow rate in the fast-drop and return stages, increasing the idle speed to 150-300mm/s and improving work efficiency.

 

The electrical control system gives the four-column hydraulic press intelligent characteristics. The PLC controller manages the entire working cycle, and realizes parameter setting and status monitoring through the HMI human-machine interface. High-precision pressure sensors (accuracy 0.1%FS) and magnetic scales (resolution 0.005mm) form the basis of closed-loop control. The intelligent algorithm automatically adjusts the pressing speed and holding time according to the material deformation resistance, which improves the product quality consistency by more than 30%.

 

2. Technical advantages and performance characteristics of four-column hydraulic presses

Carrying capacity and stability are the iconic advantages of four-column hydraulic presses. The nominal pressure ranges from 63 tons to 10,000 tons, which is suitable for processes such as deep drawing and die forging that require long-term constant pressure. The symmetrical design of the four-column structure enables the eccentric load capacity to reach 15-20% of the rated pressure, exceeding single-column and frame hydraulic presses. Large equipment also uses prestressed frame technology, which applies a preload of 1.2-1.5 times the working load through hydraulic nuts, suppressing the loose connection caused by alternating loads.

 

Multifunctional adaptability makes the four-column hydraulic press an ideal platform for flexible manufacturing. By changing the mold and adjusting the parameters, the same equipment can complete multiple processes such as punching, bending, stretching, and pressing. The quick mold change system (QDC) shortens the mold change time from the traditional 4-6 hours to 15-30 minutes. Some models are equipped with a multi-station rotary worktable to achieve seamless connection between different processes. In the field of composite material molding, the four-column hydraulic press can integrate a heating system (up to 400°C) and a vacuum assist device to meet the molding needs of advanced materials such as carbon fiber.

 

The continuous optimization of energy efficiency performance reflects technological progress. The variable frequency motor driven hydraulic pump can adjust the speed according to actual needs, saving 25-35% energy compared to traditional asynchronous motors. The energy recovery system in the hydraulic circuit converts the potential energy of the slider's descent and the braking kinetic energy into electrical energy to feed back to the power grid. The heat exchanger effectively controls the oil temperature within the optimal range of 35-55°C, reducing energy loss caused by changes in oil viscosity.