Steam hammer is a power-driven hammer that is used to make heavy forgings. The hammer head is raised by the pressure of steam that is admitted into the lower part of a cylinder connected to the head. When the hammer reaches the desired height, the steam is released and the hammer falls. Steam admitted into the upper part of the cylinder increases the speed of the fall. The speed of the hammer’s fall also determines its force. Steam hammers vary in weight from 100 pounds (45 kilograms) to 100 tons (91 metric tons).
Steam drop hammers are raised like ordinary steam hammers. But they differ from other steam hammers in that they fall by their own weight. The steam hammer was invented by the Scottish engineer and manufacturer James Nasmyth in 1839.
