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Automotive Instrument Panels · Hydraulic Press Machine

1600T Four Column Hydraulic Press for Automotive Instrument Panels

1600T Rated Capacity
190 mm/s Slider Down Speed
6–14 mm/s Slider Pressing Speed
200 mm/s Slider Return Speed

01 — Press System

1600T Four Column Hydraulic Press Machine

A high-capacity four-column hydraulic press engineered for precise, heavy-duty thermoforming and compression molding of large-scale automotive interior components. It features ultra-precise platen parallelism, dynamic force control, and integrated rapid cooling systems to guarantee consistent high-speed production.

Use Case

Designed specifically for high-precision moulding and multi-layer lamination of complete car dashboards, cockpit structures, and instrument panel carriers. It enables simultaneous forming, skin vacuum-adhesion, and structural foam bonding while maintaining strict surface quality across large dimensions.

  • Core Applications: Precision manufacturing of primary automotive instrument panels, passenger side cockpit assemblies, and main dashboard carriers. It is also widely used for laminating soft-touch door panels, center console structures, and integrated airbag deployment housings.
  • Material: Combines premium skin coverings such as PVC, TPO, PU, and synthetic leather with strong structural substrates like PP, ABS, PC-ABS, and glass fiber reinforced plastics (GF-PP). PU foam-backed laminates are often integrated during press molding to achieve a cushioned, luxurious interior feel.
  • Products Processed: Fully molded single-piece dashboards, soft-touch wrapped instrument panels, and reinforced glove box mounting structures. Additional outputs include driver-side cockpit trim modules, integrated HUD instrument housings, and luxury interior panel sub-assemblies.
  • Why 1600-Ton Hydraulic Press: The massive 1600-ton tonnage provides uniform surface pressure distribution required to consolidate multi-layer materials over expansive, highly contoured mold geometries. It effectively prevents skin wrinkling, eliminates structural warping, and ensures defect-free Class A cosmetic finishes on large dashboard components.

02 — Technical Specifications

SM 1600 HP – HYDRAULIC PRESS MACHINE COMPLETE TECHNICAL DATA

SM 1600 HP – Hydraulic Press Machine delivers ultra-high precision and powerful thermoforming performance for automotive instrument panels. It ensures uniform pressure, superior surface finish, and consistent OEM-grade quality for large, complex interior components.

Capacity & Structural Design

  • Rated Capacity: 1600 Tons (≈ 15,700 kN)
  • Type: Fourpillar hydraulic hot press
  • Frame: Ultra-heavy welded steel (stress relieved)
  • Structural safety factor: ≥ 1.40
  • Parallelism accuracy: ≤ 0.05–0.08 mm

Hydraulic System

  • Cylinder type: Doubleacting heavy-duty
  • Bore: 650–800 mm
  • Stroke: 900–1400 mm
  • Working pressure: 30–32 MPa
  • Control: Servo-proportional (critical for precision forming)

Thermoforming & Trimming Cycle

  1. Preheated sheet loading (robot/manual)
  2. Controlled mold closing
  3. Forming pressure application
  4. Vacuum-assisted forming (optional integration)
  5. Cooling under pressure
  6. Integrated trimming stage (knife/tooling system)
  7. Mold opening
  8. Finished part ejection

Heated Platen System

  • Heating system:
    • Electric platen heaters (fast response)
    • Thermal oil (for high uniformity)
  • Temperature range: 140–250°C (depending on material type)
  • Temperature uniformity: ±2°C (automotive Class A requirement)
  • Multi-zone heating: Essential for uniform surface quality

Cooling System

  • Integrated mold cooling channels
  • Chiller-compatible system
  • Cooling range: 200–250°C → 70–90°C 
  • Key benefits:
    • Dimensional stability
    • No warpage
    • Faster cycle time

Working Envelope

  • Platen size:
    • Standard: 1800 × 1500 mm
    • Optional: 2200 × 1600 mm
  • Daylight opening: 1500–2200 mm
  • Column diameter: 250–320 mm

Control System

  • PLC: Siemens / Mitsubishi / Beckhoff
  • HMI: Advanced interface with recipe storage
  • Monitoring:
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Time
    • Vacuum (optional)
  • Features:
    • Data logging (automotive QA traceability)
    • Industry 4.0 readiness
    • Safety PLC + light curtains

SM 1600 HP — Model Specifications

  • Nominal Force: 16000 KN
  • Maximum Hydraulic Pressure: 25 MPa
  • Max Opening Height of the Slider: 1500 mm
  • Max Stroke of the Slider: 900 mm
  • Effective Bed Size: 1600 × 1600 mm
  • Slider Down Speed: 190 mm/s
  • Slider Pressing Speed: 6–14 mm/s
  • Slider Return Speed: 200 mm/s
  • Ejector Cylinder Nominal Force: 800 KN
  • Stroke of the Ejection Cylinder: 300 mm
Production Case Study

Automotive Instrument Panels Production Line

PP / ABS / PC-ABS / GF-PP / PVC / TPO / PURaw Material
1200mm x 450mm to 1600mm x 600mmPanel Size
40-90 secCycle time
160–220°CTemperature
High Precision Multi Layer Lamination
Superior Class A Cosmetic Finish
Flawless Skin Vacuum Adhesion
High Dimensional Structural Stability
Optimal Thermal Pressure Distribution
Reduced Material Scrap Waste
Consistent High Speed Throughput

03 — Die / Mold System

Precision Automotive Instrument Panels Die Mold Engineering

Precision Automotive Instrument Panels Die Engineering ensures accurate dashboard geometry, smooth surface finish, and precise detailing for complex designs. It delivers consistent quality, dimensional stability, and high-performance results for OEM-grade automotive interiors.

Technical Specifications

Mold Type

  • Thermoforming + trimming integrated mold
  • Compression-assisted forming system

Mold Materials

  • Aluminum alloy (for high thermal conductivity)
  • Tool steel inserts (cutting edges & wear areas)

Mold Construction

  • Upper mold: Surface finish + texture
  • Lower cavity: Structural geometry
  • Guide system: Alignment accuracy ±0.02 mm

Heating System

  • Embedded heating channels
  • Multi-zone temperature control

Cooling System

  • Water cooling channels
  • Rapid cooling design
  • Ensures:
    • Shape stability
    • Reduced cycle time

Vacuum & Venting System

  • Vacuum ports
  • Micro air vents

Prevents:

  • Air pockets
  • Surface wrinkles
  • Imperfections

Trimming System

  • CNC-machined hardened steel knives
  • Integrated trimming edges
  • Flash-free cutting

Surface Finish

AreaFinish
Visible dashboardClass A grain finish
Internal surfaceStructural matte
EdgeClean trimmed

Mold Life: 150,000 – 300,000 cycles

Case Study (Die Performance)

Automotive Instrument Panels Die Mold

P20 / 718H / NAK80 AlloyRaw Material
48–52 HRCHardness
Vacuum HardeningHeat Treatment
High Precision Mold Geometry
Flawless Surface Finish Quality
Superior Wear Corrosion Resistance
Optimal Cooling Channel Distribution
Minimal Distortion Thermal Stability
Extended Die Mold Lifespan
Low Maintenance Down Time Requirements

04 — Product Application

Where Automotive Instrument Panels Are Used

Automotive instrument panels are widely used in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and EVs as critical dashboard systems. They provide functional integration of controls, displays, and safety components while enhancing interior design and user experience.

Industry Applications

Automotive OEM Sector

In the automotive OEM sector, automotive instrument panels are used in passenger vehicles, SUVs, and commercial vehicle dashboards. They ensure precise integration of controls, enhanced aesthetics, and high-performance functionality for modern vehicle interiors.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry

In the electric vehicle (EV) industry, automotive instrument panels are used as lightweight dashboards and integrated control systems. They enhance energy efficiency, functionality, and modern user interface design in advanced EV interiors.

Commercial Transport

In commercial transport, automotive instrument panels are used in bus dashboards and truck instrument panels. They ensure durability, clear control integration, and reliable performance in heavy-duty driving environments.

Transport & Mobility

In transport & mobility applications, automotive instrument panels are used in rail interiors and aircraft cabin panels for integrated control and display systems. They ensure lightweight design, durability, and functional efficiency in advanced mobility environments.

IndustryScenario
Automotive OEM Dashboard production
EV Industry Lightweight dashboards
Commercial Vehicles Truck & bus panels
Transport Rail interior panels
Premium Vehicles High-end interior trims

Finished Product Gallery

05 — Key Advantages

Why Choose the 1600-Ton Sinter Hydraulic Press

It delivers ultra-high precision thermoforming with uniform pressure for large, complex dashboards. Designed for OEM standards, it ensures superior surface finish, structural strength, and consistent high-quality production.

01

Integrated forming + trimming

Enables simultaneous forming and trimming of instrument panels in a single cycle. It ensures high precision, improved efficiency, and reduced production time for complex automotive components.

02

Class A surface finish

Delivers premium, automotive-grade surface quality with smooth, flawless finishing. It ensures high aesthetic appeal and meets OEM standards for interior components.

03

Lightweight components

Enables production of large automotive panels with reduced weight without compromising strength. It enhances fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance while maintaining structural integrity.

04

High dimensional accuracy

Ensures precise shaping with tight tolerances for complex instrument panels. It delivers consistent fitment, alignment, and high-quality OEM-standard components.

05

Durable and impact resistant

Produces instrument panels with high durability and excellent impact resistance. It ensures long-lasting performance and enhanced safety in demanding automotive environments.

06

Enhanced NVH characteristics

Enables production of instrument panels with improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control. It enhances cabin comfort, reducing sound transmission and vibrations for a superior driving experience.