Machine consisting of a cylinder fitted with a piston (see piston and cylinder ) that uses liquid under pressure to exert a compressive force upon a stationary anvil or baseplate.
The liquid is forced into the cylinder by a pump. The hydraulic press is widely used in industry for forming metals and for other tasks where a large force is required. It is manufactured in a wide variety of styles and sizes and in capacities ranging from 1 ton (0.9 metric ton) or less to 10,000 tons (9,000 metric tons) or more. See also punch press .