The requirements of this standard apply to those mechanically or hydraulically powered machine tools that are designed, modified, or converted for the compressing of metallic or non-metallic powders. These machines are commonly referred to as metal powder presses, powder metal presses, compacting presses, P/M briquetting presses, metal powder sizing presses, or metal powder coining presses. For the purpose of this standard, they shall be referred to as "P/M Presses."

Excluded from this standard are: mechanical and hydraulic power press brakes; mechanical and hydraulic power presses; bulldozers; conventional hot bending and hot metal presses; conventional forging presses; hammers; riveting machines and similar types of fastener applications; isostatic and hydrostatic presses; high energy rate presses.

The American National Standards Institute's newest revision contains significant changes from the previous 1988 document and includes:

A flow chart that aids the reader with navigating the standard—more definitions

Responsibility outline of the supplier, the user and personnel (employees)

New information on hazard control to help supplier and user in controlling the hazards associated with P/M press operation and reducing the risk to an acceptable level

New requirements for control reliability

Consideration of hot powder systems

Recognition of die set presses where the entire die set is removable

New guard opening table

New annex that provides information on task-based hazard identification to help with risk assessment process.


Approved December 17, 2003.