Metals, Steel, Aluminum & Coil Processing worked example

Extrusion Press Utilization at 98% target press utilization: a worked example

What does the result look like when target press utilization reaches 98%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when an operations manager is reviewing how hard an aluminum extrusion press is loaded against its target.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Press hours run (extruding): 360 hr (unchanged)
  • Press hours scheduled (available): 480 hr (unchanged)
  • Target press utilization: 98 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 85)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Press utilization = press hours used รท press hours available) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 75 % for press utilization, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 23 points for utilization gap.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 360 value for press hours used.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 480 value for press hours available.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where target press utilization sits at 85% and the headline result is 75 %, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 75 %.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when target press utilization is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. Utilization counts hours, not pounds per hour or recovery, so a press can be 'fully utilized' while still running slow cycles or scrapping profile.

Results at a glance

  • Press utilization: 75 % (headline result)
  • Utilization gap: 23 points
  • Press hours used: 360 value
  • Press hours available: 480 value

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Extrusion Press Utilization calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.