Steelworkers and Punching Machines

The Morgan Rushworth HSW Hydraulic Steelworker

The 415V HSW series, comprising the HSW45 and HSW60 models, are compact yet designed with volume, production and maximum efficiency firmly in mind. They quickly become invaluable for any business.

Crafted to make every job easier

These heavy duty universal steelworkers feature five workstations enabling them to instantly carry out punching, shearing, cropping and notching easily and accurately via the single, movable foot pedal.

Low power inch mode on each of the workstations ensures work pieces can be precisely positioned and tooling be perfectly aligned every time. The machines also feature adjustable hold downs to make sure material handling and processing is accurate and safe and a 1m ruled length stop is supplied as standard.

All machines also feature a centralised lubrication system for a simple and hassle-free maintenance program.

Specification Overview:

• Compact and very low maintenance
• Built in LED illumination directly above the work
• Supplied with 5 punches and dies up to 38mm
• Single movable foot pedal control
• Overload relief on hydraulic and electrical system
• Swing away punch stripper unit
• Easy change punch holder
• Workstation guard

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HSW Steelworker

The Morgan Rushworth HSV Hydraulic Vertical 415V Steelworker

The Morgan Rushworth HSV hydraulic vertical steelworkers supplied with standard tooling including repetition support tables at punch, shear and the notch stations. This compact universal hydraulic steelworker features 5 work stations and have been designed for volume production with maximum efficiency. Punching, shearing, cropping, notching can be instantly carried out by pressing the movable foot pedal. Comprehensive safety guards are fitted as standard on all work stations. The system gives accurate power inching to all five work stations and allows the machine to be stopped at any position giving safe accurate tool setting and work positioning. The vertical ram system ensures maximum shearing quality on angle material.

A 1m auto crop ruled length stop is supplied as standard.

Specification Overview

• Built-in LED Lighting System
• Punch station with fully adjustable ram stroke
• Low power inching for tool alignment
• Angle station for cropping angle iron at any angle from 90° to 45° with either internal or external mitres
• Section cutting station for cropping round and square bar
• Shear station for cutting both thin and thick material without requiring blade gap or cutting angle adjustment. Can also be used for cropping the leg of angle iron
• 1 metre ruled length stop covering all cropping/shearing stations for repetitive work
• Notching station with rectangular notch
• Comprehensive safety guards

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HST Steelworker

The Morgan Rushworth HST Hydraulic 415V Steelworker

The Morgan Rushworth HST series are twin operator machines featuring two shielded foot controls, one of which is in charge of the cylinder and the punch and the other operates the shearing stations. An adjustment system enables accurate power inching to of all the machine’s five workstations and allows for them to be stopped regardless of position for safe tool setting and accurate work positioning.

Power with Safety

Safety guards are comprehensively fitted as standard on all machines and each station is equipped with easily adjustable hold downs to control every operation as quickly and safely as possible.

Specification Overview

• PUNCH STATION The standard punch station enables punching holes with a diameter of up to 38mm. The stroke is fully adjustable.
• ANGLE STATION Angle iron can be cut at 90¡ and 45¡ with either internal or external mitres.
• SECTION CUTTING STATION Cropping of round and square bar is easily performed with the standard blades. Optional blades and hold downs are available to crop special profiles.
• SHEARING STATION Thick and thin material can be sheared without the need for blade gap or cutting-angle adjustments. This station also allows flange cutting of angle profiles.
• Full stroke adjustment
• Punch table guides
• Lower power inching
• Punch table with multipurpose bolster
• Bolster reversible to overhang machine frame for channel or joist flange punching
• CE conformity including safety guarding
• Built in LED illumination directly above the work

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HST Steelworker

The Morgan Rushworth HSP 50 Punch

The new Morgan Rushworth HSP50 hydraulic punching machine comes with 45 tonne of punching power, a stroke length of 60mm and a 300mm throat. Capable of punching 38mm holes with the standard configuration, and optionally up to 110mm, it’s compact size makes it ideal for small workshops that need basic punching requirements.

Specification Overview:

• Up to 38mm hole as standard
• Throat end – 300mm
• Full stroke adjustment
• Low power inching
• Low maintenance
• Overload relief on hydraulic system
• Swing away punch stripper unit
• Easy change punch holder
• Punch table with guides
• Work station guard

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HSP 50 Punch

The Morgan Rushworth HSP Hydraulic 415V Punching Machine

The HSP hydraulic series delivers reliability, versatility and a heavy duty capability with a 625mm throat as standard across the series. The HSP range offers the best, whatever your needs.

Capacities for every requirement

Starting with the HSP70 with its 5.5KW motor power up to the HSP175 offering 11KW of motor power, each of the four machines in the range can produce holes up to 57mm (optional 160mm), bend bar up to 250 x 22mm and sheet materials up to 700 x 4mm.

Heavy duty quality

The HSP range feature a heavy duty support table with fully adjustable backstop. A universal die holder for punching plate, angle iron and flat bar comes also comes as standard. These machines are designed with the capacity for a double-ended configuration while also featuring support tables with specially designed front sections which can be removed, making punching materials such as angle iron leg-down much easier.

Optional Extras:

The HSP series can be supplied with large hole attachments, bending units and specialised toolings as well as a range of accessories for tasks such as bar bending, sheet bending and corner notching.

Specification Overview:

• Full stroke adjustment
• Low power inching
• Punch table with multipurpose bolster
• Reversible table block for overhang channel/beam flange punching
• Low maintenance
• Overload relief on hydraulic system
• Swing away punch stripper unit
• Easy change punch holder
• Punch table with guides
• Comprehensive workstation guard
• Built in LED illumination directly above the work

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HSP Punch

Morgan Rushworth HSPD Hydraulic 415V Double Punching Machine

The Morgan Rushworth HSPD range are all double punch with double, shielded pedal design. Equipped with a deep throat of 625mm at one end and 305mm at the opposite end as standard configuration, the series also features a heavy-duty support table with adjustable backstop and universal die holder for even more versatility such as punching plate, flat bar and angle iron.

The HSPD punches standard hole diameters of 57MM without the need for additional optional equipment. Like the HSP series, the front section of the support table can be removed in order to punch angle-iron leg down.

Optional Extras:

The HSPD series can be supplied with large hole attachments, bending units and a range of specialised tooling and accessories for bar bending, sheet bending and corner notching.

Specification Overview:

• Double punching stations
• Deep throat one end – 625mm
• Standard throat one end – 305mm
• Full stroke adjustment
• Low power inching
• Punch table with multipurpose bolster – Removable table block for overhang channel/joist flange punching
• Low maintenance
• Overload relief on hydraulic system
• Swing away punch stripper unit
• Easy change punch holder
• Punch table with guides
• Work station guard

Find out more about the Morgan Rushworth HSPD Punch

Steelworkers and punching machines defined, what they are and what they do

The steelworker machine fulfils multiple roles on the workshop floor and is seen as something of a Swiss Army knife in the fabricator’s arsenal. That is because of its ability to undertake several different jobs. These hydraulic multi-purpose machines can perform varied tasks such as shearing bars, plates and angles, punching, forming and bending. Some even have dedicated tube bending stations.

Typically, Steelworkers are easy to operate with single operator models being more compact than the larger double operator models which enable two people to work at the machine simultaneously.

At Selmach our range of Morgan Rushworth steelworkers combined with the Piranha series of single and dual operator machines offer excellent quality and reliability whatever your unique requirement. However, if you are considering investing in a new steelworker, there are several very important factors to take into consideration beforehand.

What to consider when purchasing a steelworker or punching machine

There may be a variety of reasons why you might be considering an investment in new steelworking machinery such as business expansion, replacing legacy machinery, starting up a new business or just looking to offer a wider range of services. It is important to ensure the steelworker you choose is the right one for you and your needs, both today and tomorrow.

Tonnage is always an important factor

Based not just upon the work you are doing today but also perhaps the work you want to be able to do in the future as your business expands. Making sure your steelworker has the power you need is vital. Capacity charts are fitted to every machine and are included in all Morgan Rushworth steelworker machine literature.

Punch Vs Multi-station Machine

The question of dedicated Punch vs. Multi-station machine is another important one to think about. You might only need a machine for punching right now, but a combination machine can offer versatility and adaptability should those needs change in the future.

If you undertake punching on a regular basis and it forms an important part of your service, a CNC Punch might prove to be a more beneficial addition to your workshop. Greater accuracy, faster production and less material waste are all benefits of a CNC punch along with a pre-programmable interface taking care of the punch tool stations.

Single or Dual Operator

Single operator compared to a dual operator steelworker can be a difficult choice. If time management and faster turnaround times are important a multi station may well start to pay for itself much quicker than a smaller, more compact single operator machine. On the other hand, if you are a sole trader or employ a small workforce a single operator steelworker might be more practical.

Optional Extras & Attachments

Your steelworker’s attachments form a vital part of the package so careful consideration needs to be given to which you might need. There are specialised attachments for tasks such as flat bar bending and sheet bending which could save investing in another dedicated machine for each of these processes.

For a more in-depth look at what to consider when investing in a punch or steelworker, our article covering some of the most important factors and common mistakes is a valuable resource.

The 5 stations on a steelworker

With a steelworker, thanks to its multi-station design, comes one heavy duty hydraulic machine able to undertake a wide variety of tasks.

The Punching end of the steelworker

As the name suggests, takes care of punching operations and is operated by foot pedal. The maximum hole diameters and material thicknesses the punch can handle vary depending on the machine and the tonnage. In operation, once the stripper is set, the operator can then set punch upper and lower travel limit switches for quick, efficient production.

The Notching station

As equally easy to set up for quick and accurate material notching. If you are working with multiple notches the travel distances can be changed as needed.

The Shearing station

For shearing, setting up a squaring guide can save even more time and energy when loading and replacing materials.

Angle Cutting

Setting the Angle cutting station up requires you to place the angle bar through and secure it by winding down the hold-down jack which will stop the material from kicking back. It is also possible to cut mitres in angle bar when needed.

Flat Bar & cut Round Bars

If you need to work with Flat Bars and cut Round bars it is simply a case of inserting the bar into the Steelworker’s flat or round bar shear section, choosing the slot or hole that most closely matches the dimensions of your bar, and the steelworker will do the rest.

You can see a more detailed visual guide on the different steelworker stations, what each one does and how, over on our YouTube channel.

Steelworker & Punching Machine Operation, Safety and Maintenance

How to Safely Remove and Install the Punch & Die on a Morgan Rushworth Steelworker

Being absolutely certain that the top and bottom tooling (the punch and die) are perfectly aligned is vital when using your steelworker. This alignment should be checked every time a tool is changed. The punch should be retracted, the guard and stripper plate be swung away, then the punch and die installed and aligned.

After retracting the punch, the steelworker does not need to be powered for any stage of this process except for punch/die alignment.

After mounting punch and die and loosening the bolster retaining bolts, switch the machine into “Adjustment” mode. This slows all machine operations and changes the pedal function from down/hold/return to down/hold only. Now lower the punch to approx. 0.5mm above the die and carefully inspect the gap around the punch. If there is clearance, lower the punch about 1mm into the die. The position of the bolster should now be adjusted until there is even spacing all the way around the punch. Now it is safe to tighten the 19mm A/F bolster retaining bolts fully, keeping a careful eye out for any accidental movements during the process. With adjustment completed, switch the machine mode back to “Working” mode.

Safety is essential during this process as a poorly aligned punch and die can chip, causing damage to expensive components and potentially serious injury. For a simple step by step guide, see our video tutorial here.

How to adjust the stroke on a steelworker

Setting the stroke switches on a Morgan Rushworth Steelworker is a straightforward but important task. If the machine’s capacity is 70 tonnes or over there will be 2 rams and two lots of switches situated on the front of the machine. The lower switch is to set the depth stop whilst the top switch sets the return stroke. Careful adjustment of these can increase productivity by eliminating unnecessary travel.

Steelworkers with lower capacities such as our 45 and 60 tonne series have a single ram and therefore a single stroke adjustment control which can be found under the bed.
The adjustment handle bolts must always be tightened fully before starting the machine to prevent the cams slipping and potentially causing damage or injury.

See the visual walkthrough for adjusting the stroke on a steelworker here.

How to Adjust the Material Clamping System on a Steelworker

Another simple but vital task is adjusting your steelworker’s shearing station clamp heights. If you change the material thickness you are working with, then the clamp heights must also change to prevent chipped or damaged blades.

The clamp must be adjusted to sit 2mm above the material and the clamp bolts fully retightened, allowing the material to move freely as can be seen in our knowledge base article here

Traditional steelworkers vs. CNC machines

It is a common question to ask;

“Why do I need to invest in a Hydraulic CNC steelworker when a traditional one might be just fine?” But the CNC machines do come with a genuine range of benefits across the board, such as increased automation, faster productivity, less wastage and the obvious ability to future-proof your business simply by being able to do more things in a better way.

End plates and base plates for example will need no introduction to anyone in the industry as their creation is such a common task. With a traditional steelworker it can be a drawn-out task involving time consuming hand marking. With a CNC steelworker, designs and sizes are all at your fingertips, stored in the CNC brain of your machine, to be recalled whenever you need them, quickly and effortlessly.

It is possible to see the time comparisons for yourself in our knowledge base video here. As you can see, the time difference is striking. That means your costs are lower too.

Potential customers can often be unaware of these significant differences but, along with the removal of human error, mainly in manual marking and the considerable increases in productivity, the initial investment in CNC steelworking machinery is one that is worth giving serious thought to.