Overview
ISO 8540:1993 - "Open front mechanical power presses - Vocabulary" is an ISO standard that establishes the accepted terminology for open-front (swan‑neck / C‑frame) mechanical power presses. Published in 1993 and prepared by ISO/TC 39 (Machine tools), the document gives English and French terms and definitions for the main machine parts, operation modes and machine specification terms. German equivalent terms are provided in Annex A for information. The primary purpose is to facilitate international communication among manufacturers, users, safety professionals and translators in the field of mechanical power presses.
Key topics
- Nomenclature of main parts: defined names for components such as slide, bed (table), bedplate/bolster, flywheel, clutch/brake, drive motor, eccentric shaft, crankshaft, connecting rod, tie rods, die cushion, slide guides and related bearings. Figures and tables illustrate layouts and component numbering.
- Operational terms: standard definitions for operation modes and controls, e.g. inch (jog), single stroke, continuous stroke, two‑hand control, top/bottom dead centre, anti‑repeat device and photoelectric guard.
- Safety and protective devices: vocabulary for guards, interlocking guards, safety devices (overload, anti‑repeat, photoelectric detection) that appear in press applications.
- Machine specification terms: definitions of technical sizing and rating terms such as nominal pressing force (Fn), nominal force travel (hn), variable speed range (strokes/min), slide stroke, adjustable stroke length, die (shut) height, bed opening, throat depth and slide/bed distances.
- Supporting content: informative annexes - Annex A (German equivalents), Annex B (bibliography) - plus alphabetical indexes in English and French for quick lookup.
Applications and users
ISO 8540:1993 is used where consistent terminology is essential:
- Machine tool and press manufacturers (design, documentation, parts lists)
- Toolmakers and die designers (die height, bolster/bed dimensions vocabulary)
- Maintenance and safety engineers (standardized names for guards and safety devices)
- Technical writers, translators and standards committees (harmonized vocabulary across English, French and German)
- Inspectors and test labs (clear definitions for terms used in testing and reporting)
Related standards
- ISO 6898:1984 - Open front mechanical power presses - Capacity and dimensions (referenced in the bibliography)
- ISO 9188:1993 - Machine tools - Straight‑sided … (referenced)
Keywords: ISO 8540, open front mechanical power presses, vocabulary, press nomenclature, die height, nominal force, press safety terms, machine tools.
