Manual vs. Automatic Laboratory Presses: Which is Right for You?

Selecting the right laboratory platen press is essential for ensuring accurate and efficient preparation of samples for a wide range of quality control testing, in a material development or R&D environment. With many equipment options for sample preparation available, understanding the pros and cons is key to identifying the best solution for your lab. Intelicare, as a trusted partner of Fontijne Presses, supplies and supports a wide range of laboratory presses designed to meet various application needs. This blog explores the distinctions between manual and automatic presses, their benefits, and how to determine the most suitable press for your operation.

What is a Laboratory Press?

A laboratory platen press is a specialised device used to prepare sample materials for further analysis and testing. By applying heat and pressure to samples of rubbers, polymers and composites, platen presses ensure consistency and precision in specimen preparation, making them essential equipment for industries such as material development, polymer science, pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.

To run reliable tests on material samples, such as elongation tests, tensile strength testing or viscosity testing, repeatable material specimens first need to be manufactured. The outcome of these further tests can only be deemed reliable when your specimen plaque is consistently well made, with precise and repeatable specifications.

Manual Laboratory Presses: A Hands-On Solution

Manual presses, such as Fontijne’s LabManual series, are controlled directly by the operator, making them a practical and cost-effective choice for smaller-scale applications. Despite their simplicity, these presses are engineered for precise and consistent results, and are the right choice for applications that need accuracy and consistency, but where the number of samples to be processed is moderate, allowing manual operation to remain effective.

Key Features of Manual Presses:

1. Compact Design: The small footprint of manual presses, such as the LabManual 300, allows for easy integration into most lab environments.
2. Precision: Delivers consistent force and temperature distribution, ensuring accurate results.
3. Affordability: A cost-effective option for labs with limited budgets or lower sample throughput requirements.
4. Straightforward Operation: Simple controls make these presses easy to operate and maintain.

Applications for Manual Presses:

Manual presses are ideal for laboratories that process smaller sample batches. They are particularly well-suited to research environments where users need full control over the pressing process, or where the material specification or polymer type are regularly altered.

Automatic Laboratory Presses: Designed for Efficiency

Automatic laboratory presses are engineered for laboratories with higher sample volumes or more demanding requirements. These presses integrate advanced control systems to streamline operations and improve consistency. Fontijne’s LabEcon and LabPro series are automated hydraulic press systems, using a user-friendly touch screen control interface.

The LabEcon is renowned for its efficiency and small footprint, making it a popular choice for R&D settings. For the most demanding applications, the LabEcon and LabPro are equipped with a preset builder able to store up to 999 recipes, allowing a rapid switch between custom parameters for a variety of sample materials.

Key Features of Automatic Presses:

1. Automation: Automatic hydraulic pressure systems ensure consistent results, even across high-volume tasks.
2. User-Friendly Interfaces: Touchscreen controls, such as Fontijne’s ProView system, allow for precise adjustments and real-time monitoring.
3. Enhanced Safety: Automatic presses include built-in safety measures such as fixed platens and emergency stop systems.
4. Customisation Options: These presses can be tailored with features such as active cooling systems, multi-daylight configurations, and programmable controls.

Applications for Automatic Presses:

Automatic presses are ideal for laboratories that handle repetitive tasks or large volumes of samples. Their efficiency and precision make them indispensable for production-quality control and complex testing processes with a high throughput.

Manual vs. Automatic: Key Considerations

The choice between manual and automatic laboratory presses depends on several factors:

• Workload Size: Manual presses suit smaller workloads, while automatic presses handle larger volumes more efficiently.
• Budget: Manual presses are more affordable upfront, but automatic presses may save time and resources over the long term, where user intervention is factored in.
• Complexity of Tasks: For repetitive or highly detailed processes, automatic presses provide the consistency and automation needed, with the ability to save material presets.
• Lab Space: Both manual and automatic presses are available in compact designs, such as the LabEcon and LabTop series, ensuring they fit into various lab setups.

Customised Solutions from Fontijne Presses

Fontijne Presses, available through Intelicare in the UK and Ireland, offers a range of customisation options to meet the specific needs of your laboratory. From advanced cooling systems, considerable health & safety features, programmable controls and material-specific platens, these options enhance the versatility and performance of your press.

Examples of Customisation:

• Active Cooling Systems: Speeds up press preparation for tasks requiring lower temperatures.
• Programmable Control Systems: Enables precise and repeatable process control. Ramp function of pressure and temperatures.(heat and cooling) can also be programmed.
• Material-Specific Platens: Choose steel, aluminium, or copper for optimal heat distribution.

Why Choose Intelicare?

Intelicare has been serving the UK and Irish markets for over 20 years, providing expert advice and comprehensive support for laboratory presses. We work closely with Fontijne Presses to ensure our clients receive high-quality equipment tailored to their needs. Our services include:

• Specification and installation
• Preventive maintenance and calibration
• Ongoing technical support

Conclusion

Choosing between manual and automatic laboratory presses depends on your specific operational requirements. Manual presses are cost-effective and well-suited for smaller workloads, while automatic presses offer efficiency and consistency for high-demand applications. Regardless of your choice, Intelicare ensures you receive reliable, high-performance equipment backed by expert support.

Explore our range of manual and automatic laboratory presses or contact us today to discuss your laboratory’s requirements to receive our expert advice and guidance on the best press for your application. Intelicare is here to help you find the best solution for your sample preparation needs.