TWI purchases laboratory platen press

TWI is an independent research and technology organisation, with expertise in materials joining and engineering processes as applied in industry. It specialises in innovation, knowledge transfer and in solving problems across all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management.

The Platen Press has been supplied through the UK agents Intelicare. The model is a LabPro 600, a hydraulically operated 2-column press with prism guiding of the 600 x 600mm heated platens, allowing unrestricted access to the complete platen area. Platen heating up to 450°C and a wide range press force; from 100 to 600kN.

Other key features of the press are:

• Platen heating speed of 20°C/min


• Low Pressure Valve for lower minimal press force


• Programmable control system with an 8.4” touch panel, with easy programming using a simple to use but comprehensive recipe builder for the generation or editing of programs


• Rapid cooling of the platens with a common rail chilled water system

Also supplied by Intelicare was a Frigosystem 38kW chiller for rapid cooling of the platens. Especially adapted with a calibrated pump by-pass circuit to allow the pump to continue running when platen cooling is not activated, it also has the ability to accept boiling water returning from the platens without high temperature alarms being generated. High temperature braided hoses have been supplied to connect the platens to the chiller.

The rapid cooling of the platens enables quick changeover of processed test samples using the new and unique multi-channel common rail system which ensures accurate temperature distribution across the platen during the cooling process which has a positive effect on quality of the moulded product.

Fontijne Presses Hydraulic Laboratory Platen Presses are used in the polymer processing, rubber, and composites industry for research and materials development, sample preparation, small production processes for quality control and series production of finished product.

Intelicare specialises in the supply and service of ancillary equipment used within the plastics processing and other industries. Key product lines include Fluid temperature control, materials handling and laboratory platen presses, all sourced from high quality European manufacturers.

TWI will use the press for the development and testing of new materials as part of the recently announced Dual Use Technology Exploitation (DUTE) project, a £10.3 million jointly funded project between government and industry which backs the best new technologies and research that can have a “dual-use” in defence and civil sector businesses. The total programme value includes £6.5 million of Government funding from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) 2014 competition and will support the creation of more than 140 new jobs and safeguard a further 190 jobs across 15 partners up to 2019.

www.intelicare.co.uk