Patent ID: 8211359

Claim:
A method for controlling a powder press, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a powder material into a die; creating a substantially uniform distribution of powder material in the die by fluidization of the powder as the powder enters the die; pressing of the powder material in the die by controlling a pressure of a fluid provided to each of at least one piston that is operatively associated with each set of workpiece-forming punches therein controlling a magnitude of a pressing force applied by each set of workpiece-forming punches including the steps of: determining a pressure of a fluid provided to each of at least one piston that is operatively associated with each set of workpiece-forming punches, comparing using at least one pressure sensor and a processor the pressure of the fluid provided to each piston to a pressure corresponding to a desired pressing force, and adjusting the pressure of the fluid provided to each piston based upon a result of the comparing step; and controlling a position of each set of workpiece-forming punches relative to the die using a position sensor and the processor.