Extrusion press systems and methods

An extrusion press system comprising:

• a mandrel bar having a first end and a second end, the first end for receiving a billet having a hole therethrough and the second end coupled to a mandrel bar tip;
• a plurality of cooling elements configured to be clamped to the mandrel bar, each of the plurality of cooling elements having a respective port through which cooling fluid is delivered into an interior of the mandrel bar for cooling the mandrel bar tip, wherein at any given time at least one but fewer than all of the plurality of cooling elements are clamped to the mandrel bar;
• a plurality of gripping elements configured to grip the mandrel bar, each of the plurality of gripping elements comprising moveable grips for securing in place and preventing rotation of the mandrel bar, wherein at any given time at least one but fewer than all of the plurality of gripping elements are gripping the mandrel bar;
• and
• a rotating extrusion die configured to receive the billet from a centering insert having a frictional surface that frictionally engages the billet to prevent the billet from rotating prior to entry of the billet into the rotating extrusion die;
• wherein the mandrel bar tip is positioned within the rotating die.