Gap Frame Stamping Presses: 10–250 Ton
For more than 40 years, Fresan has designed and manufactured the Gap Frame Stamping Press - our flagship line, built from 10 to 250 tons across flywheel and back-geared models. The rigid, welded gap frame construction gives easy die access, a compact footprint, and stable ram alignment under load - suited to high-volume stamping, blanking, and punching. Every model is CE marked and built for continuous production use.
What Is a Mechanical Press?
A mechanical press uses a rotating flywheel to drive the ram, rather than hydraulic cylinders. That's the "mechanical" in the name. Fresan builds gap frame presses: an open, three-sided frame (also called C-frame, or OBI/OBS in the US depending on whether the frame tilts) that gives easy access to the die and worktable. Every Fresan press is the fixed, non-tilting type.
The flywheel's rotation reaches the ram through an eccentric shaft. That's the mechanism this class of press is named for, and what makes the stroke adjustable rather than fixed.
The Adjustable Stroke Advantage
Most gap frame presses ship with one fixed stroke length, set for whatever job the original buyer had in mind. Every Fresan press adjusts instead, from 0–1.57 in on the FP 10P up to 0–7.87 in on the FP 250P, so one machine covers shallow blanking and deeper forming work instead of needing a dedicated press for each. Matching the stroke to the job, rather than running a longer stroke than the operation calls for, also lowers punch impact, extending tool life. And because a shorter stroke puts less load on the slide and drive, the press can run at the top of its speed range.
Flywheel Presses: 10–40 Ton Capacity
The flywheel series runs on direct drive: the motor spins the flywheel, and the pneumatic clutch transfers that stored energy straight to the eccentric shaft. With no gear reduction in the drivetrain, these are the fastest presses in the line, cycling at 125 to 200 strokes per minute depending on model. That speed suits high-volume blanking, piercing, and progressive stamping of smaller parts such as terminals, clips, and brackets. Strokes adjust from 0–1.57 in on the FP 10P to 0–3.31 in on the FP 40P, with the slide guided on 4-point V-gibs, and every frame is the fixed, non-tilting type. The 30 and 40 ton models are open back stationary (OBS) presses with a clear front-to-back opening for scrap discharge; the 10, 15, and 20 ton models mount the flywheel and motor at the rear instead. An open back inclinable (OBI) configuration is available on request.
Back-Geared Presses: 60–250 Ton Capacity
From 60 tons up, a gear reduction sits between the flywheel and the eccentric shaft. The back-geared drive trades speed for torque, delivering the slower, higher-force stroke that heavier blanking, forming, and shallow drawing work demands. All models in this range are open back stationary (OBS) presses, with strokes adjustable up to 7.87 in and bolster areas up to 35.43 x 51.18 in, sized for progressive dies and coil-fed automation. The 60 ton model keeps the 4-point V-gib slide guidance of the flywheel series. From 80 tons up, guidance steps up to 8-point gibs for tighter ram alignment under off-center loads, and a hydraulic overload protector (HOLP) comes standard, relieving the load instantly if press capacity is exceeded.
Both series share the same welded gap frame construction, adjustable stroke system, and standard safety package; the main difference is the drive.
Standard Equipment & Construction
Everything below is standard on all 12 models, from the 10 ton flywheel press to the 250 ton back-geared unit. Fresan does not sell safety as an add-on: light curtains, interlocked guards, and the safety controller are part of the base configuration.
Safety Features
- • Conformity to CE safety regulations
- • Safety controller
- • Double body press safety valve
- • Light curtains guarding the point of operation
- • Covers with safety switches
Construction & Drive Mechanics
- • Welded steel frame, engineered for high rigidity
- • Crankshaft made of AISI 4140 (42CrMo4) alloy steel, CNC ground for min. surface friction
- • SnBz-12 quality bronze bushings
- • Pneumatic clutch-brake combination
Control & Operation
- • AC inverter (standard on all models)
- • Automatic central lubrication (PLC-controlled)
- • Used oil collectors
- • HMI/touchscreen operator panel
- • 2-hand & foot pedal control
- • Automatic cyclic mode with light curtains
- • Vibration pads/shock absorbers
Technical Specifications
Specifications for all 12 gap frame stamping presses at a glance. The toggle switches between imperial and metric units, and each row links to the full model page with complete dimensions.
| Model | Nominal Force (kN) | Stroke (mm)Stroke (in) | SPM | Slide Adjustment (mm)Slide Adjustment (in) | Shut Height over Bolster (mm) ††Shut Height over Bolster (in) †† | Bolster Area (L-R × F-B) (mm)Bolster Area (L-R × F-B) (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP 10P | 100 | 0 - 400 - 1.57 | 200 | 401.57 | 1756.89 | 320 x 49012.6 x 19.29 |
| FP 15P | 150 | 0 - 400 - 1.57 | 200 | 401.57 | 1756.89 | 320 x 49012.6 x 19.29 |
| FP 20P | 200 | 0 - 500 - 1.97 | 160 | 401.57 | 1907.48 | 360 x 55014.17 x 21.65 |
| FP 30P | 300 | 0 - 600 - 2.36 | 140 | 602.36 | 2459.65 | 400 x 60015.75 x 23.62 |
| FP 40P | 400 | 0 - 840 - 3.31 | 125 | 702.76 | 2369.29 | 450 x 65017.72 x 25.59 |
| FP 60P | 600 | 0 - 1000 - 3.94 | 65 | 702.76 | 26510.43 | 500 x 70019.69 x 27.56 |
| FP 80P | 800 | 0 - 1120 - 4.41 | 60 | 803.15 | 28811.34 | 600 x 90023.62 x 35.43 |
| FP 100P | 1000 | 0 - 1320 - 5.2 | 60 | 903.54 | 31812.52 | 700 x 100027.56 x 39.37 |
| FP 130P | 1300 | 0 - 1320 - 5.2 | 50 | 903.54 | 36814.49 | 700 x 100027.56 x 39.37 |
| FP 160P | 1600 | 0 - 1720 - 6.77 | 45 | 953.74 | 32812.91 | 800 x 110031.5 x 43.31 |
| FP 200P | 2000 | 0 - 2000 - 7.87 | 40 | 1003.94 | 40015.75 | 800 x 120031.5 x 47.24 |
| FP 250P | 2500 | 0 - 2000 - 7.87 | 40 | 1003.94 | 40015.75 | 900 x 130035.43 x 51.18 |
†† Shut height measured with stroke down and slide adjustment up. (SDAU)
Optional Equipment
Every press can be configured to order. The most common additions are coil handling and press feeding equipment (decoilers, straighteners, and pneumatic or servo roll feeds) that turn a single press into a coil-fed stamping line, plus upper and lower knockouts for automated part ejection. For non-standard bed sizes, shut heights, or control setups, Fresan engineers build to specification.
- • Additional bolster
- • Upper and lower knockouts (part ejectors)
- • Material feeding, loading & unloading systems (Decoilers, straighteners, pneumatic & servo feeders...)
- • Tonnage monitors & die protection systems
- • Die cushions (pneumatic, hydraulic, or servo-driven)
- • Special design
Safety Standards: OSHA, ANSI & CE
In the US, presses of this class are regulated as mechanical power presses under OSHA 1910.217 and ANSI B11.1. Fresan presses ship CE-marked with light curtains, safety controller, dual-body safety valve, and hydraulic overload protection, meeting the requirements of both standards.
Every Fresan press carries CE marking and is designed to meet the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), and the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) - covering mechanical safety, electrical safety, and electromagnetic compatibility as one integrated standard, not an afterthought.
Each machine ships with a full technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity, so the paperwork your safety officer or notified body will ask for is ready before the press reaches your floor. Light curtains, interlocked guarding, and a dedicated safety controller are standard on every model, from the smallest flywheel press to the largest back-geared unit - see Standard Equipment & Construction for the complete list.
Applications & Processes
Our mechanical presses are built to handle the core processes behind sheet metal production, from thin-gauge components to structural parts.
Blanking
Blanking cuts a flat shape from coil or sheet stock, the first step most stamping lines run. Small, high-volume blanks suit the flywheel series, which cycles up to 200 strokes per minute with no gear reduction in the drivetrain; larger or thicker blanks move up to the back-geared models, where tonnage headroom matters more than speed. Paired with a decoiler, straightener, and servo or pneumatic feed, either series keeps blank supply matched to whatever runs downstream in the pressroom.
Punching
Punching creates holes, slots, or cutouts in a single stroke, often across multiple stations in a progressive die. Slide guidance scales with tonnage to keep that accurate: the 10 to 60 ton models run 4-point V-gibs, and from 80 tons up the ram changes to a substantially larger design guided on 8-point gibs, spreading the load across more surface and holding alignment tight enough for hole placement to stay consistent station after station.
Stamping
Stamping forms sheet metal between matched upper and lower dies, and covers the widest range of parts we build presses for, from small brackets to automotive body components. It's the most demanding process for frame rigidity and ram guidance, since die alignment sets part accuracy directly, which is why every Fresan press pairs a heavy-duty welded gap frame with a CNC-ground AISI 4140 alloy crankshaft and a precision gib-guided slide.
Cutting & Shearing
Cutting and shearing separate sheet metal to size or profile, usually ahead of forming or stamping. The moment the punch breaks through, the load releases suddenly and sends snap-through shock (reverse tonnage) back into the machine; the heavy welded frame is engineered to absorb it, protecting drive and tooling across high-volume runs. And since the cut itself takes only a fraction of an inch near the bottom of the stroke, the adjustable stroke lets you run the shortest setting that still clears the strip, lowering punch impact speed for longer tool life and freeing the press to cycle faster.
Bending & Forming
Bending and forming reshape flat sheet into angles, channels, or structural profiles, with the work happening higher above bottom dead center than in cutting operations. That makes the rated tonnage point and available torque matter as much as peak force, which is where the back-geared drive earns its keep, delivering force higher in the stroke. The adjustable stroke completes the picture: set exactly the travel the tooling needs and the press cycles at the top of its speed range, with more of each stroke spent forming and less punch impact, producing better, more consistent parts than a fixed-stroke press running longer travel than the job calls for.
Shallow Drawing
Shallow drawing forms a recess or cavity from flat sheet, such as housings, covers, or enclosures. Draw quality is speed-sensitive, so the AC inverter drive, standard on every model, lets the stroke rate come down to match how the material flows. Deeper geometries are possible too: in progressive or transfer tooling, each station draws the part one step closer to final shape, and every press stroke finishes one part with all intermediate forms made at once. Applications like that are sized case by case against the press's tonnage curve and available flywheel energy.
Industries We Serve
Our mechanical presses are in operation across a wide range of manufacturing sectors, wherever consistent, high-volume sheet metal processing is required.
- • Automotive - brackets, connectors, chassis parts, and body components requiring consistent tonnage and cycle speed.
- • Electrical & Electronics - high-precision terminals, connectors, and enclosures produced at volume.
- • Household Appliances - structural and cosmetic sheet metal parts, from internal brackets to external housings.
- • Hardware - stamped and formed metal parts where cost-per-part efficiency matters most.
- • Defence & Ammunition - components requiring strict tolerance, repeatability, and documentation standards.
- • General Sheet Metal Fabrication - custom parts across varied tonnage and material requirements.
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