A new approach to determine press stiffness

A new procedure is proposed for measuring press stiffness, including separated horizontal and vertical loading of the press frame. The load can be eccentrically positioned for measuring rotational stiffnesses. Two loading devices and corresponding measuring equipment for registration of press deflections are designed. The press stiffness is presented as a 6 by 6 flexibility matrix. The approach has been tested by measuring the stiffness of a 5.000 kN O-frame, ring element, hydraulic press, a 10.000 kN O-frame, pillar element, hydraulic press and a 10.000 kN O-frame, ring element mechanical press. Deflections in the size of 0.5 mm were identified.