How to select a Laboratory Platen Press

In recent years, laboratory platen presses have found more and more applications. Each sample has a combination of best settings that need to be taken into consideration for sample preparation for the optimisation of the results of the analysis.

Once the decision has been taken to purchase a lab press, there are still quite a lot of questions to be answered before finding the right press. In this post, we discuss the factors you have to take into consideration when purchasing a new platen press.

Technical performance and customisation of the platen press

The more information we receive about the process cycle and the materials that are used for sample preparation, the better we can guide you to finding the most suitable platen press according to your requirements. Fontijne Presses are highly customisable, and requirement information could include:

• Maximum temperature
• Minimum and maximum closing force
• Mould or platen size
• Cooling requirements
• Multiple stage recipe or single temperature and pressure control
• Data readout/ transfer requirements

Operation of the press
User-friendly control system, ProView enables automatic control of the press cycle. Using the preset builder, lab technicians can easily build and store up to 999 press recipes. Selecting and starting a preset will start the process cycle automatically and will execute all program commands and events.

Manually operated presses are equipped with digital temperature controllers: all you have to do is to set the desired temperature and the platen will start heating up. The closing force is set by means of the handpump and read out from the integrated pressure display.

Environmental aspects
The laboratory hot platen presses from Fontijne Presses do not only have a small physical footprint but also the economical footprint is low.  You will be pleasantly surprised by the low energy consumption and noise level!  The hydraulic system is designed without an accumulator. This means that the system is not constantly under pressure and that it can work with an on/off regulation: a motor of 0,7 kW is sufficient.

Moreover, the Fontijne Presses laboratory platen press is designed and in accordance with all ergonomic regulations as described in the ISO and CE regulation, for optimal and enjoyable use for every employee, and to avoid an impact on human health.

Delivery time
The delivery time of a Fontijne Presses instrument depends on the press series. Typically, our LabManual and LabEcon presses have a shorter delivery time (2 to 8 weeks) than our LabPro series (16 weeks and up). This is because all LabPro presses are built to order. 

After-sales service
Intelicare and Fontijne Presses work together to offer first class after-sales service, which starts as soon as the hydraulic laboratory platen press leaves our factory. With a combined 125+ years on the industry, you are in expert hands.

To discuss how Fontijne Presses and Intelicare can help you find the perfect platen press, contact Phil at presses@intelicare.co.uk

Intelicare are representatives for Fontijne Presses in the UK and Ireland. You can check out the full Fontijne range, and don’t forget to follow Intelicare on LinkedIn.

The original article was published on the Fontijne Presses website on 26 April 2021, you can view the full article here.