Presses

Metal Processing Equipment

Clark Engineering has over 50 presses with capabilities ranging from 600-ton knuckle joint presses to 50-ton straight side presses. These presses are utilized for coining, piercing, stamping, and forming material ranging from 1/8″ to 1″ diameter stock. The capacity of our press room is why Clark is able to handle some of the largest jobs possible, such as tow hooks, heavy braces, steering-rods, and connectors.

600-ton Knuckle Joint Press

A 600-ton knuckle joint press is a type of press used in metal fabrication. The “600-ton” refers to the amount of force the press can exert, measured in tons. The “knuckle joint” refers to the design of the press’s ram, which allows it to move in a curved or angled path, rather than just moving straight up and down.

This press is typically used for forging, deep drawing, and forming operations on large, heavy workpieces such as structural steel beams or large metal plates. This machine is generally large in size and requires skilled operators to run it.

50-ton straight side presses

A 50-ton straight side press is a type of mechanical press used in metal fabrication. The press uses a straight-sided ram, as opposed to a crankshaft mechanism, to exert a force of 50 tons on a workpiece. This force can be used to shape, stamp, or form metal parts. 

The press typically includes a bed and a bolster to support the workpiece, and a slide that holds the upper die. The slide can move up and down to bring the die into contact with the workpiece, applying the force needed to shape it. The straight-side press can be used for a variety of different manufacturing processes, including stamping, blanking, punching, coining, and forming.

At our Owosso, MI plant, these Mechanical Presses are used to perform a wide range of functions in metal fabrication, including:

Stamping
Using a die to cut and shape a piece of metal into a desired form.

Blanking
Using a punch to cut a piece of metal into a desired shape or size.

Punching
Using a punch and die to create holes in a piece of metal.

Coining
Using a punch and die to create precise and detailed impressions in a piece of metal.

Forming
Using a punch and die to shape a piece of metal into a desired form.

Bending
Using a punch and die to bend a piece of metal into a specific angle or shape.

Extrusion
Using a punch and die to extrude a piece of metal into a desired shape.

Forging
Using a punch and die to shape a piece of metal through hammering and compression.

Embossing
Using a punch and die to create raised or recessed designs on a piece of metal.

Drawing
Using a punch and die to stretch a piece of metal into a desired shape.

These are the most common functions that we utilize our presses, but there are many other operations that can be done depending on the specific machine and application.