GRADE 9 TECHNOLOGY
TERM 2 2020
TOPIC: THE HYDRAULIC PRESS AND HYDRAULIC JACK
Week 4
The Hydraulic Press
The hydraulic press is a machine that makes use of pressure exerted on fluids in a
hydraulic system to crush or compact something. The hydraulic press has a bed or
plate in which metal is placed so that it can be crushed, straightened or moulded.
The concept of the hydraulic press is based on Pascal’s Principle. If there is an
increase in pressure at any point in a confined fluid, there is an equal increase at every
other point in the container. When pressure is applied on fluids in a closed system, the
pressure throughout the system remains constant. This advantage is made possible
due to two characteristics of liquids.
Two characteristics of liquids:
1 Liquids cannot be compressed
2 Liquids distribute pressure equally.
The hydraulic press is therefore a machine that makes use of the pressure exerted on
the fluids to crush, straighten or mould something.
A hydraulic press is made up of basic components used in a hydraulic system – the
cylinder, pistons and the hydraulic pipes.
How the hydraulic press works
Systems diagram describing how the hydraulic press works:
Input Process Output
The small piston The fluid flows There is a larger
compresses the fluid through a pipe output force achieved
in the slave cylinder into the master in the master cylinder
cylinder. Pressure
is exerted on the
larger piston
1
Uses of a hydraulic press:
1 It can be used for industrial purposes, e.g. transforming (changing) metallic objects
into sheets of metal.
2 It can be used for mechanical tasks e.g. crushing old cars; and processing of fat
free cocoa powder.
3 During the process of making the steel parts of tools. The hydraulic press is used
to give shape to the steel e.g. shovels.
4 Thinning of glass.
5. Making powders for the cosmetic industry.
6 Forming tablets for medicinal use.
7 Crushing cars.
8 Sword making.
Hydraulic press calculations
A multiplication of force can be achieved by the application of fluid pressure according
to Pascal’s Principle, which for the two pistons implies that:
Piston 1 = Piston 2 (P1 = P2).
Specifications
Small piston Large piston
Force (F1) = 10N Force (F2) = unknown
Distance (d1) = 120mm Distance (d2) = 50mm
F1d1 = F2d2
The formula F1 × d2 = F2 × d2 tells us that the force times distance of the small piston is
equal to the force times the distance of the large piston.
Using the formula F1 × d2 = F2 × d2, you will notice that you have the following
information:
F1 = 10N; d1 = 120mm and d2 = 50mm.
F2 is unknown and we need to calculate this value.
We obtain our answer by substituting values that are known into the formula and then
solving the unknown.
2
F1 × d2 = F2 × d2
10N × 120mm = F2 × 50mm
1200Nmm = F2 × 50mm
1200Nmm
F2 =
50mm
F2 =24N
Activity 1 Hydraulic Press Calculations
1 The small piston in a hydraulic system experiences a force of 12N and moves
a distance of 50mm. If the large piston experiences a force of 24N, calculate
the distance that the large piston will move. (5)
2 The large piston in a hydraulic mechanism moves through a distance of 20mm
with a force of 30N. If the small piston moves through a distance of 50mm, what
force is required to move the small piston? (5)
3 If the volume of the liquid that is moved by the small piston in Question 2 above
is 500mm3, what volume of liquid is transferred by the large piston? (3)
Total: 13 Marks
References
Basset, L; Munsami, B; Pocock, L. and Wagenaar, M. (2015). Technology, Study &
Master Study Guide 7 – 9, Cambridge University Press, Cape Town, South Africa.
374pp.
Gayadeen, R; Moodley, D; Moodley, D. and Naidoo, S. (2019). Shuters Top Class
Technology, Grade 8, 15th Impression. Shuter & Shooter (Pty) Ltd, Pietermaritzburg,
South Africa, 152pp.
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