TL;DR
Insufficient tonnage on the Aida NC1 is usually a relief valve that has drifted below the required forming pressure, or a worn pump that cannot sustain pressure at peak load.
What you might see
- press force monitor reads below target tonnage
- parts incompletely formed or coined
- relief valve venting audible under load
- hydraulic pressure drops at bottom of stroke
Likely causes
Relief valve pressure setting drifted below the required forming pressure
Worn hydraulic pump losing flow and pressure under high-load demand
Overload protector set below the tonnage requirement for the die
Air entrapped in the hydraulic circuit reducing effective stiffness
Required tools
- Calibrated hydraulic pressure gauge
- Press tonnage monitor (integral or external strain-link)
- LOTO kit
- Die block (press-specific)
- Adjusting wrench for relief valve
Safety first
- Insert the die block before entering the press work area. Never adjust hydraulic settings while a die is unsupported.
- Never increase the relief valve setting above the Aida NC1 rated maximum pressure. Overpressure causes catastrophic structural failure.
- Lock out the main disconnect and bleed hydraulic pressure to zero before opening any fitting.
Procedure
- 1
Press the Emergency Stop and insert the die block before any internal adjustment.
- 2
Lock out and tag out the main disconnect and hydraulic isolation valve.
- 3
Check the press tonnage monitor reading against the rated die requirement. Record both values.[1]
- 4
Install a calibrated pressure gauge at the main hydraulic supply port.
- 5
Run a test stroke with the die installed, under controlled conditions, and read peak pressure. Compare to Aida specification.[1]
- 6
If measured pressure is below specification, locate the main relief valve. Increase the setting in small increments, no more than 5% per adjustment, until pressure is within range.
- 7
Never set the relief valve above the Aida press rated maximum. Exceeding the rated tonnage damages the frame and the die.
- 8
If relief valve is at spec but pressure still drops at peak load, test pump flow as described in the slow-ram-speed procedure.
- 9
Bleed air from the hydraulic circuit by cycling the ram slowly several times with the bleed screws cracked open.
Sources
Aida NC1 Mechanical Servo Press Operation Manual, Aida Engineering
Aida NC1 Mechanical Press Operation Manual, overload protection and hydraulic pressure specifications (general)
View source
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