Upgrading and Refurbishing Older Presses: Productivity Increase by Automatic Press Plate Handling, 2002 Decorative and Industrial Laminates Symposium

Modernization of older presses can increase productivity and bring their accuracy to the level of new, modern presses. After evaluating the condition of a press, the level of modernization and production increase has to be identified which a customer likes to realize. The critical element of a press is its mechanical equipment, especially the guidance and the system for achieving the parallelism of the press platens. Its wear and design has a great influence on the condition of rams, cylinders, bushings and packings that usually have to be overhauled first. For improvement of the hydraulic system the installation of proportional valves instead of traditional valves and axial piston pumps have a great influence on the smoothness of the cycle and its time. This can also be influenced by overhauling or renewing the loading and unloading system. Modernizing the electric control system partly or completely through a PLC system reduces workload, increases speed, and makes analyzing and influencing the process much easier This applies to all the different types of presses in the laminating industry and the reconstituted wood industry as well But older presses in the laminating industry usually require additionally much manual work for loading and unloading. This is valid for LPL presses (short cycle), but for HPL presses as well. For HPL presses the installation of more daylights is in most cases simple and very cost effective.

Resin modification for HPL presses could often shorten the curing process in a press, but it is the workload of the crew and the sluggishness of the mechanical system that prevents a greater output. Increasing the speed of the press plate handling system can reduce cycle time quite a bit. However, the additional space required for changing a press handling system in a traditional way is usually prohibitive for such a project. Adjusting the supply system and structural part results in extensive costs. Modernization of presses, however, can go much further, especially for a HPL Press. Some time ago a system was developed for an automatic computer controlled compact plate handling system that includes loading, manipulating, guiding, transport, cleaning, storing and break-out of the press plates that are an essential part of a Multi Daylight HPL Press. This system is so compact that it fits between 2 Presses. It is very affordable, increases output and reduces workload. None of the elements of the main press need to be changed or moved.