This article describes the various types of press construction and the factors that influence the selection of mechanically or hydraulically powered machines for producing parts from sheet metal. Presses are broadly classified, according to the type of frame used in their construction, into two main groups: gap-frame presses and straight-side presses. The article describes the various components of mechanical presses and hydraulic presses. It discusses important factors, such as the size, force, energy, and speed requirements, that influence the selection of a press. The article describes the roles of automatic handling equipment that can be categorized as feeding equipment, unloading equipment, and transfer equipment. It concludes with information on the common types of high-production presses, such as dieing machines, multiple-slide machines, transfer presses, fine blanking presses, and flexible-die forming presses.

Powder metallurgy compacting presses usually are mechanically or hydraulically driven, but they can incorporate a combination of mechanically, hydraulically, and pneumatically driven systems. This article provides a comparison of mechanical and hydraulic presses based on the cost, production rate, and machine overload protection. The article lists the classification of powder metallurgy parts based on complexity of shapes as suggested by the Metal Powder Industries Federation, such as Class I parts, Class II parts, Class III parts, and Class IV parts. It describes rigid tooling compaction and details the powder-fill ratio considerations for these classes. The article elaborates on the types of tooling systems and presses used for these classes. Some important factors and components used in designing a tool are also described. Finally, the article considers tool materials, including punches, core rods, and punch clamp rings.

Hammers and high-energy-rate forging machines are classified as energy-restricted machines as they deform the workpiece by the kinetic energy of the hammer ram. This article provides information on gravity-drop hammers, power-drop hammers, die forger hammers, counterblow hammers, and computer-controlled hammers. It describes the three basic designs of high-energy-rate forging (HERF) machines: the ram and inner frame, two-ram, and controlled energy flow. The article reviews forging mechanical presses, hydraulic presses, drive presses, screw presses, and multiple-ram presses.

This article describes various bending methods: draw bending, compression bending, roll bending, stretch bending, and ram-and-press bending. It discusses the machines used for the bending of bars. These machines include devices and fixtures for manual bending, press brakes, conventional mechanical and hydraulic presses, horizontal bending machines, rotary benders, and bending presses. The article illustrates the tools used in bending and other bending process. It also tabulates the lubricants required for bending specific metals.

Bronze and brass alloys are two key classes of materials in copper-base powder metallurgy applications. They are often compacted using mechanical or hydraulic pressing machines. This article provides an overview of the powder pressing process, providing information on the powder properties of bronze and brass and the roles of lubricant and compaction dies in the pressing process. It discusses the structural defects that originate during the compaction process. The article also describes the major factors that influence the sintering response in bronze, prealloyed bronze, brass, and nickel-silver.