Dormant Presses? Here’s Tips for Shutting Down and Starting Up.

Due to a variety of extenuating circumstances, stampers may be faced with a situation where presses need to be shut down for extended periods of time. Here are some general tips to help ensure that you take preventative measures before you shut down your presses. There is another set of steps that should be completed before the presses are started up and put back into production.

Shutting Your Press Down

Nidec Minster Presses• If your stamping press is PLC based, you should check the processor to see if the red battery signal light is illuminated. If that signal is red, then your battery should be replaced before shutting power off or there is a risk of program loss when the press is shutdown.

• You can also back up the programming on the PLC before shutdown.

• Remember that a machine equipped with Quick Lift will drift down during the period it is shutdown.

• Consider rewinding any coils of steel on the reel or threaded into the press, and banding them to help prevent possible clock spring and the potential release of hazardous energy.

• Lower the hold down arm on the coil to lower the energy state of the arm and coil and help prevent drift and possible issues at startup.

Re-Starting Your Press

• Most issues associated with starting your press up after an extended shut down period will be in the lubrication system. You may experience problems with the oil filter, flow switch and orifices in the lubrication system. Sediment and debris may have settled in the lubrication system due to the lack of oil flow during shut down and could possibly clog filters, flow switches and orifices. Please ensure you have spare filters, flow switches and orifices on hand.

• Ensure that the oil system is circulated for at least 30 minutes prior to starting to run the press in production when you start up.

• Refer to your user and service manuals for proper preheat procedures for machines that require it.

• Verify that the shutheight for the current tool in the press is set correctly prior to stroking the press over.

• If your press is equipped with Quick Lift, verify that it has not drifted during the shutdown.

• Reduce your counterbalance pressure before you turn the air back on to prevent slamming rods into the slide for push type counterbalances.

• Check that die lube has not changed state during shutdown. Die lube condition may create issues at startup.

• Check the die clamping (mechanical and magnetic) thoroughly before startup to ensure it is still set up correctly for production startup.

• Check the AIM sensor/target location before startup if your press is equipped with this feature.

• Oil the screws on saddle bushing type presses.

• Consider running initial stroke in manual mode to facilitate general lube checks, inching and mechanical noises that may indicate possible issue with the press.

If you are unsure how to complete any of the steps explained above, please contact Nidec Press & Automation Service at 419-628-6000 or email us at service@nidecpa.com.