Laboratory Platen Presses
LabEcon Series Presses
Fontijne Presses’ LabEcon series is a floor-standing, automated hydraulic laboratory press that integrates key features and performance characteristics derived from the flagship LabPro platform. It is engineered to deliver high levels of accuracy, repeatability, and consistency, making it a widely adopted solution for sample preparation in both quality control and R&D applications.
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Full-size Operation with a Compact Footprint
Despite its floor-standing configuration, the LabEcon maintains a relatively compact footprint, allowing straightforward installation in laboratory environments. Its ergonomic design and intuitive touchscreen interface enhance usability, enabling operators to efficiently manage daily workflows. The system also incorporates comprehensive safety features, including a fixed upper platen, emergency stop functionality, and a protective safety shield, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
The LabEcon is available in 4 primary models (based on the maximum pressing force required) with modules to expand the instrument’s capabilities.
LabEcon 100
• 100 kN Maximum Pressing Force
• Temperatures up to 400 °C
• 320 × 320 mm platens
LabEcon 300
• 300 kN Maximum Pressing Force
• Temperatures up to 400 °C
• 320 × 320 mm platens
LabEcon 600
• 600 kN Maximum Pressing Force
• Temperatures up to 400 °C
• 400 × 400 mm platens
LabEcon 1000
• 1000 kN Maximum Pressing Force
• Temperatures up to 400 °C
• 500 × 500 mm platens
LabEcon Series Presses
Product Features
ProView Touchscreen Control System
The LabEcon series is equipped with the ProView control system, featuring a 15-inch touchscreen that enables precise control of temperature and pressing force. The large display provides clear visibility of process parameters and real-time cycle progress, allowing users to monitor and adjust conditions with confidence. An integrated automatic venting (degassing) function further enhances process control by periodically opening and closing the press at predefined intervals to release trapped gases during pressing cycles.
Broad Temperature Ranges for Varied Material Processing
The thermal capabilities of the LabEcon can be extended up to 400 °C, allowing processing of a broader range of materials, including high-performance polymers and advanced composites. For applications requiring faster throughput, an optional fast-heating system enables heating rates of up to 20 °C/min. This significantly reduces cycle times, for example, reaching 180 °C in approximately 8 minutes instead of 16 minutes, and 400 °C in around 19 minutes instead of 38 minutes.
Smooth Roller Bed For Mold Insertion
A roller bed equipped with ball transfer units facilitates smooth and precise mold insertion, improving handling ergonomics and reducing operator effort. Optional integrated light and sound indicators provide clear, real-time feedback on press cycle status, enhancing process monitoring and operational safety.
Automatic Venting & Exhaust Hood
The LabEcon is equipped with an integrated exhaust or extraction hood mounted above the press, which can be connected to an external ventilation system to effectively manage fumes generated during processing.
Flexible Platen Options
Process optimization is further supported through optional platens in steel, aluminum, or copper, allowing tailored thermal conductivity and temperature distribution profiles. Additionally, the system can be configured with multiple daylights (the spacing between platens), enabling simultaneous processing of multiple samples within a single cycle. Each daylight can be independently controlled for heating and cooling, providing greater flexibility and throughput in demanding laboratory workflows.
Automated Water cooling Platform
An automated water-cooling system, controlled via electric valves, enables rapid cooling of the press platens between cycles. This allows quick transition to processes requiring lower temperature setpoints and improves overall productivity. The cooling system can also be configured to comply with ASTM D4703, achieving controlled cooling rates of up to 15 °C/min when required.
Optional Rapid heating system
For applications requiring faster throughput, an optional fast-heating system enables heating rates of up to 20 °C/min, reducing time to target temperatures. This significantly reduces cycle times, for example, reaching 180 °C in approximately 8 minutes, and 300 °C in around 19 minutes, thereby improving operational efficiency. An optional external Thermocouple interface allows direct temperature measurement within the sample, with integration into process control via the ProView system for enhanced accuracy.