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Customer Testimonials:

  • "Production has increased by 25%."
  • "Pressure has decreased by 50%, resulting in better product stability."
  • "Scrap rates have been dramatically reduced."
  • "Cycle time was reduced by 30%."

Our Customers Include:

  • Allegheny Plastics
  • Boeing
  • Chengdu Aircraft
  • DuPont
  • Foamex
  • General Dynamics
  • General Electric
  • Goodyear
  • Hill AFB
  • Honeywell
  • IBM
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Lord Corp.
  • Minnesota Rubber
  • Motorola
  • NASA
  • Parker
  • Quality Synthetic Rubber
  • Raytheon
  • Teledyne
  • South China Circuits
  • XEROX

Lab Presses — High Efficiency Hydraulic Presses Conserve Energy

Eco-Lab Hydraulic Presses Cools Platens in Multiple Stages Using Air

Technical Machine Products (TMP) has engineered and built new, specialized laboratory size hydraulic presses that use a fraction of the conventional energy to cool the platens during press temperature cycling. The press design is based on a series of energy-reducing requirements supplied in an initial inquiry for a custom designed press.

The company’s original 130 point specification list required a hydraulic press capable of reaching a top temperature of 800°F with the ability to maintain especially close control of heat-up and cool-down rates while under a constant state of vacuum. Hydraulic vacuum presses pioneered by TMP, remove entrapped air or volatiles from materials as they are pressed.

Thermo-cycling compression molding presses can be one of the most energy consuming, and thus expensive, parts of a molding operation. The abilities to reach high temperatures, quickly cool finished parts and run on low energy are requirements that are seemingly at odds with each other.

Thermo-cycling – repeated heating and cooling of the press platens - is often required in manufacturing where high temperature is required to form, cure or set a polymer or composite while under pressure. The need to almost immediately cool the platens and / or mold halves can be required to transfer molded parts to another operation or to facilitate curing of the thermoset composite material.

Traditionally, water is used to reduce platen temperature following the heated cycle. Circulated chilled water systems or use of city water involves high energy consumption and water / sewage costs. Compressed air is also sometimes used if slower cycling times are needed. However, there is significant energy consumption and associated expense involved in both compressing the air and transmission of the compressed air to the required locations in a plant.

To eliminate shock to the platens and save energy, the Eco-Lab Press uses a multi-stage cool-down process. In the first stage following the heated compression cycle, the platens are cooled with forced air delivered by a specialized blower attached to an air knife. After cooling down to 500°F, the product is then transferred to a cold press stage.

Energy is saved in the cold press as well by reducing thermo-cycling of the press platens. A constant state temperature system maintains the platens at a steady temperature for better process control and prevents “sweating” of the platens. Water only flows to the platens when needed, reducing water usage.

TMP’s newest lab press meets the original customer’s tight specifications for temperature control accuracy of ± 0.25% and for platen temperature uniformity of ± 2.5% of set point.

Eco-Lab press controls include the TMP Edge tm Advanced Control System which includes a color touch screen operator interface to an internal Allen Bradley PLC. The control system allows easy generation and storage of unique temperature and pressure recipes. The control system includes a 12 point paperless recorder. The control system complies to all NEC, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 79 codes.

About TMP -Technical Machine Products

Since 1978 Technical Machine Products (TMP) has been in the business of engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of technologically-advanced machines. TMP is an innovative designer, manufacturer, rebuilder, and servicer of hydraulic presses, laminators, intensive mixers, and related components, controls, and auxiliary equipment. TMP supplies machines and parts to thousands of customers worldwide for many molding, mixing, and product handling applications.


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(216) 281-9500

>> Hydraulic Press Glossary

Technical Machine Products
5500 Walworth Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44102
PH: (216) 281-9500
FX: 216-281-0408

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