Custom Fontijne LabPro 2000 Brings Electric Heating to Rubber R&D

Intelicare’s partners at Fontijne Presses have recently completed an impressive custom laboratory press based on the LabPro 2000, developed specifically for a demanding rubber sample preparation and materials R&D application.

The project is a great example of what makes the LabPro range particularly interesting for demanding R&D applications: rather than adapting the customer’s process to suit a standard machine, the custom laboratory press has been engineered around their specific requirements.

In this case, the customer wanted to replace an ageing steam-heated press with a more controllable and efficient electrically heated system, while retaining high closing force, large platen dimensions and the flexibility of two independently controlled working levels.

From Steam Heating to Precise Electric Control

The resulting LabPro 2000 provides a maximum closing force of 2,000 kN, with electrically heated 600 × 600 mm steel platens.

Replacing the previous external steam supply gives the laboratory much more direct control over platen temperature and heating rate. It also has the potential to significantly reduce operating costs.

According to figures supplied by the customer to Fontijne Presses, the previous steam-related operating cost was approximately €70,000 per year, compared with an expected electrical power cost of approximately €6,000 per year for the new press. Naturally, actual savings will vary depending on usage, operating conditions and local energy costs, but it demonstrates the potential benefit of moving from an older steam-heated system to modern electric platen heating.

Two Independently Controlled Processing Levels

For rubber sample preparation and materials testing, repeatable control of temperature, pressure and cooling can be critical.

This custom heated platen press features two working levels, each with a daylight of 150 mm and its own independent temperature control. Both levels can operate either hot or cold, allowing different stages to be incorporated into a defined pressing cycle without relying on a single common temperature setting.

The platens can reach 300°C, with heating rates of up to 25°C per minute. Automatic water cooling can achieve up to 30°C per minute when cooling from 200°C to 40°C, while specified temperature distribution at 200°C is ±3°C across the working area.

This level of control helps laboratories produce consistent rubber sheets, plaques and test specimens before subsequent physical or mechanical analysis.

Automated Press Cycles with ProView

The LabPro 2000 is controlled through Fontijne’s ProView touchscreen system, allowing pressure, temperature, heating, cooling and venting stages to be programmed into repeatable press cycles.

Automatic venting can also be configured between one and 99 cycles to release trapped gases during processing. Process information can then be recorded and exported via Ethernet, providing valuable traceability for individual samples and R&D trials.

The wider LabPro series allows each custom laboratory press to be configured around application-specific requirements including force, platen size, temperature, cooling, daylight, vacuum and other specialist functions.

Fontijne Presses Support in the UK and Ireland

Intelicare is the exclusive partner for Fontijne Presses in the UK and Ireland, supplying laboratory presses for rubber, polymers, composites, advanced materials, quality control and research applications.

If you are considering replacing an existing laboratory press, moving from steam to electric platen heating, or need a press configured around a specialist application, contact the Intelicare team to discuss your requirements.

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