What is a servo press?

A servo press uses servo motors for precise force and position control during forming operations.

How do I calculate servo press tonnage?

Use our free tonnage calculator at servopress.club/tonnage-calculator.html

Used Servo Press Buying Guide: What to Check

admin

Buying a used servo press can deliver excellent value, but requires careful inspection. Here is what to check before committing.

## Documentation Check

Request: maintenance records, fault history log, original commissioning report, and any repair records. A well-documented press is a well-maintained press. Missing records are a red flag.

## Physical Inspection

**Frame and structure:**
- Inspect for cracks, especially at stress concentration points (corners, holes)
- Check for evidence of overload — deformed frame members
- Verify all safety guards are present and intact

**Slide and gibs:**
- Measure slide parallelism — should be within 2x original specification
- Check gib clearance — excessive clearance indicates wear
- Look for scoring or galling on gib surfaces

**Main bearings:**
- Run the press and listen for bearing noise
- Check for excessive play with dial indicator
- Ask for vibration analysis records

## Electrical and Controls

- Power on and check for fault codes — clear all faults and see what returns
- Verify servo drive model and firmware version — check if parts are still available
- Test all I/O: sensors, safety circuits, E-stops
- Check HMI for error history

## Servo System

- Run at slow speed and check for smooth motion
- Check encoder feedback — position should be stable with no jitter
- Verify motor temperature after 30 minutes of operation
- Request servo drive parameter printout

## Test Run

Always run the press with a test die before purchase. Check:
- Slide position repeatability (measure 10 consecutive strokes)
- Load curve consistency
- Noise and vibration levels
- Cycle rate at rated speed

## Price Negotiation

Factor in: cost of any repairs needed, cost of spare parts for aging components, and cost of re-commissioning. A press needing in work is worth less.

pete_retrofit

I inspect used servo presses for buyers. The #1 thing I check that most people skip: the drive's fault history log. Every modern drive stores the last 50-100 faults with timestamps. If you see repeated overcurrent or overtemp faults, the press has been abused. If the log was cleared recently, ask why.

carlos_stamping

Bought a used 160T Komatsu servo 3 years ago for $95K (new was $380K). Best purchase decision I've made. Key was getting the full maintenance records —the previous owner was a Tier 1 automotive supplier with meticulous documentation. The press had 12 million strokes but was maintained perfectly. Still running great.