Clutch-type screw presses produce components for turbine applications

The SPKA clutch-operated screw press features a continuously rotating flywheel that stores forging energy as kinetic energy. A hydraulic clutch connects the flywheel to the spindle, accelerating the ram toward the workpiece. This design separates forming energy and force, allowing independent control. Optimized flywheel size and energy supply ensure cost-effective production with high forming energies.

During operation, the flywheel rotates with the clutch open, driven by a frequency-controlled asynchronous motor. When a stroke is initiated, the spindle synchronizes with the flywheel speed via the hydraulic clutch, accelerating the ram efficiently and precisely.

High-strength, heat-resistant materials like titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys, and high-alloy steels demand controlled deformation energy and flow during forging. Precise control avoids defects such as cracks or inhomogeneous microstructures. The SPKA clutch-operated screw press is highly effective in forging turbine blades, disks and rings for aviation and power generation. Their resistance to tilting under off-center loads and large surface area under the spindle makes them ideal for structural components and landing gear parts. Their rigidity and accuracy ensure precision forging, meeting aviation's stringent demands.

The SPKA press offers precise control of forming force and low accelerated masses. Hydraulic pressure in the clutch allows accurate force setting and consistent maintenance throughout the process. This enables forging at maximum force regardless of forming speed, ideal for fast-cooling materials and complex geometries. The design minimizes synchronization time, ensuring maximum forming speed and force early in the stroke. This results in short stroke times and fast sequences.

To maximize the reliability and efficiency of forging presses, SMS offers a wide technical service package that goes beyond standard maintenance. With extensive experience in screw press technology, including the SPKA model, SMS provides predictive maintenance solutions and utilizes advanced methodologies such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). These proactive measures not only minimize unplanned downtime but also optimize production processes, ensuring consistent output quality.