Press-fitting sleeves, rings and hubs is an axial mounting and dismounting operation in which interference, alignment, load-bearing surfaces and force progression directly determine whether dimensional accuracy, concentricity and functional geometry are maintained.
These components are typically used as connecting, positioning or load-transferring elements and react directly to misalignment, local deformation or irregular force introduction. A hydraulic workshop press is suitable when the technical conditions fall fully within the working area of the press.
This page defines when mounting and dismounting sleeves, rings and hubs fall within this application range – and when they do not.
When is a hydraulic workshop press suitable?
A hydraulic workshop press is suitable when:
- the operation can be performed fully axially, without rotation or impact loading
- the pressing force can be built up controlled, gradually and reproducibly
- force introduction takes place via the correct load-bearing mounting surface of the sleeve, ring or hub
- the element and surrounding component can be supported stably and with full surface contact
- the interference fit is known and predictable
- the structural stiffness of the surrounding component is sufficient to prevent deformation
When one or more of these conditions cannot be met, the operation falls outside the application range of a workshop press.
Technical considerations
Pressing force & force build-up
The required pressing force is determined by:
- interference (Δd)
- component diameter
- material combination
- contact length
- surface roughness
- geometric stiffness of the housing
Important requirements for force build-up:
- stepwise force increase
- avoidance of peak loading
- monitoring of any increase in resistance (indication of deformation, galling or misalignment)
- maintaining a linear force profile throughout the stroke
In thin-walled rings and sleeves, load shifts immediately to the edge when misaligned pressure occurs. This causes oval deformation which, once inserted, is permanent and affects the fit.
Interference, alignment & support
Accurate press-fitting requires:
- exact axial alignment before any force is applied
- full-surface, flat support of the receiving component
- force introduction via the correct mounting surface, including circumferential support for thin-walled parts
- exclusion of lateral loads and tilting moments
- use of suitable pressing tools and receiving sleeves that follow the component geometry precisely
In the first millimetres of the stroke, the fit is not yet stabilised by friction. Any deviation in alignment therefore amplifies and determines the final concentric result.
Structural requirements for the press
A suitable hydraulic workshop press has:
- a welded steel frame with minimal lateral deflection
- linear stroke guidance with constant geometry
- pressing tools that centre exactly on the mounting surface
- a massive, flat working table for stable support
- sufficient mass to dampen microvibrations and force peaks
Even slight frame flex generates lateral forces that deform thin-walled sleeves and rings into an oval shape. The resulting fit cannot be restored without disassembly and reworking.
What is often underestimated in practice
- deformation of thin-walled sleeves due to insufficient circumferential support
- damage caused by force introduction on incorrect surfaces (e.g., edges instead of the mounting surface)
- misalignment in the early phase of the stroke
- variation in interference due to previous thermal loading or wear
- concentricity deviations caused by unstable support of the housing
- peak loading due to overly rapid force build-up
These factors determine whether the mounted component remains within dimensional and geometric tolerances.
Typical operations within this application
- mounting sleeves used as positioning or wear elements
- pressing rings into housing structures
- mounting hubs onto shafts or into modules
- reworking housing structures with cylindrical seating surfaces
- series mounting of standard sleeve and ring components
- repair work in maintenance and rework environments
This list describes the nature of the operation; not which press configuration is necessary.
Relation to press classes (HD programme)
Classification within the HD programme is determined by:
- diameter
- wall thickness
- interference
- housing stiffness
- force profile
Light-duty press class (20–60 tonnes)
Suitable for:
- smaller sleeves and rings
- short fits with low to medium interference
- housings with high inherent stiffness
Medium-duty press class (80–160 tonnes)
Suitable for:
- typical sleeves, rings and hubs in standard machine building
- longer fits
- workshop environments requiring reproducible force build-up
Heavy-duty press class (180–500 tonnes)
Suitable for:
- large diameters and massive hubs
- high interference
- applications requiring maximum structural stiffness of the press
The correct press class is determined by mounting conditions and force profile – not by pressing force alone.
When is a workshop press not suitable?
A hydraulic workshop press is not suitable when:
- the surrounding housing cannot be supported fully flat
- the interference varies strongly or is unknown
- thin-walled components deform before force can be built up adequately
- thermal mounting is necessary for dimensional control
- rotation, impact loading or lateral loading is part of the operation
- structural damage to sleeve, ring, hub or housing cannot be ruled out
Further navigation within the site
Based on this application, reference can be made to:
- relevant press classes within the HD programme
- available standard models
For applications that fall outside these boundary conditions, reference is made to the engineering and custom-built hydraulic press trajectory, in which non-standard geometries and complex fits are assessed technically.
Request technical evaluation
When mounting or dismounting sleeves, rings or hubs falls within the described technical boundary conditions, a technical evaluation can be requested to position the application within the correct press class.