This work examines the loads experienced by different die components during uniaxial die-pressing of thin walled, thick walled and solid cylindrical compacts of ceramic powder. To achieve this, a 200 tonne hydraulic press, and the key components of cylindrical die sets were instrumented with a pressure transducer and strain gauges respectively. The influences of both fill height and applied top punch force on the load transmitted to the die body, core pin and bottom punch were investigated. The role of the compact/tooling contact surface area was also examined. The loads transmitted to the die body and core pin were determined to decrease with decreasing applied force to top punch and with decreasing component fill height. Both the component fill height and wall thickness were determined to play a significant role in the densification of the compact and the distribution of the load within the press.
