A portable hydraulic punch is a machine designed to make holes quickly and easily through steel, aluminum, and other metals. They are designed for applications typically done with hand held twist drills or mag drills. Not only are they portable but they provide extra versatility with a unique throat design and the ability to adapt to several punch and die styles. Punching holes instead of hand drilling saves time, faster cycle times, ease of handling and accuracy, less clean up (gives you a clean slug that is easy to handle) and the punches last longer.
Here are some basic questions that will assist you in selecting the proper portable hydraulic punch for your application:
- What is the Size & shape of the hole?
round, oblong, square, or other
- What is the material thickness?
- What is the type of material & profile?
steel, aluminum, stainless, etc
flat bar, channel, I-beam, angle, etc
- What is the distance from the edge to the hole?
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Flat Bar |
Channel |
I-Beam |
Angle |
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Answering the first three questions will determine the minimum tonnage required by using the following formula:
How to calculate the circumference
- Round holes – multiply the diameter by 3.1416
- Square holes – measure the length of all four sides
- Oblong holes – multiply the largest measure of the oblong by 3.1416
Once you have determined the minimum tonnage, you will need to identify the throat depth in order to select the best punch for your production.
Depth of throat is measured from the edge of the material to the center of the hole needing to be punched. |
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Types of portable punches
- Single acting hydraulic punches: generally, these punches operate with a self-contained or separate power unit that generates the punch cycle only with a spring return. They are economical, and easy to handle with a punching cycle of 2-5 seconds, and punch 13 tons to 34 tons.
- Double acting portable hydraulic punches: Generally, these punches operate with a separate power unit that generates the punch cycle and the return cycle. Punching cycles average 10-12 seconds, punching 41 tons to 52 tons, with a capacity of punching up to 1-1/16” through 1/2” mild steel.
- Heavy duty hydraulic flange punches: are portable with a capacity up to 125 tons. Custom made portable flange punches are available up to 275 tons with throat depths of 12-1/2”.
- Heavy duty hydraulic web punches: are portable with a capacity up to 100 tons. Custom made web punches are available with a capacity up to 175 tons and 18-1/2” throat depths. Depending on the tonnage we can offer throat depths to 25”.
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