What Type of Workbench is Needed for a Press Machine?

[JoshKe]

TL;DR Summary

Application of Newtons third law to automatic press machines.

I have recently become interested in automatic press machines, specifically an electro servo model. The press is capable of 5 tons (10,000 lb) of force. My question revolves around understanding what type of workbench I need to put this on top of.

I understand the workbench must at least be able to withstand the weight of the press. My thinking is that the force generated from the ram/servo will transfer to the work material and also through to the bottom of the press. This force will then transfer to the legs of the press, through the workbench, and eventually to the ground. This all from a combination of Newtons third law. Is this true or is the force somehow contained within just the press? If this is true, I feel like the strength of concrete is not enough to handle some pressures onset by say a 20 ton press with small feet.

I feel that there is probably a lot of design that goes into the structure of presses in terms of moments and loads that create stresses in internal members. However, at some point that downward force has to be met by a normal force equal and opposite that eventually comes from the ground otherwise the press would accelerate when an external force or energy(electric motor) is applied.

 

[Dale]

Summary:: Application of Newtons third law to automatic press machines.

My thinking is that the force generated from the ram/servo will transfer to the work material and also through to the bottom of the press.

So the way a bench press is designed the top part of the press pushes down on the work piece and the bottom part of the press pushes up on the work piece with nearly the same force. So the only force which goes through the bottom of the press to the bench is just the weight of the press and the work piece. If you consider the “system” to be the press and the workpiece together then the upwards and downwards forces are internal and do not affect the bench.

 

[Baluncore]

A press is similar to a bench vice with two opposed jaws. The force applied by the vice jaws to hold the workpiece, are contained within the vice. The forces applied by a press to the workpiece are contained within the press structure.