Large power hammer forming metal - GIF

[hemmjo]

Something that has always fascinated me about those massive power hammers is how quickly and accurately both the force and the limit of stroke can be controlled. In college I took courses in the welding engineering building a couple of times. You would be sitting in class and hear a subtle thump - thump - thump which seemed off in the distance. Then you might hear a thump - thump - thump - THUMP - BANG which shook the whole building and seemed it was right under your seat. At that point the instructor said something like, " No worries, they are just playing in then materials testing lab"

I had to go investigate. Found the room with a large hammer similar to that in the basement of the building. Used for breaking welds for analysis different processes.