Metals, Steel, Aluminum & Coil Processing worked example

Extrusion Press Utilization at 61% target press utilization: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop target press utilization to 61%, then walk the calculation through step by step. Estimate extrusion press utilization by dividing press hours used by press hours available, then see the gap to your target loading level.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Press hours run (extruding): 360 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Press hours scheduled (available): 480 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Target press utilization: 61 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 85)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Press utilization = press hours used รท press hours available.
  • Press utilization works out to 75 % at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Utilization gap works out to -14 points at these inputs.
  • Press hours used works out to 360 value at these inputs.
  • Press hours available works out to 480 value at these inputs.

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 %.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to target press utilization, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. 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: -14 points
  • Press hours used: 360 value
  • Press hours available: 480 value

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Extrusion Press Utilization calculator, set target press utilization to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.