Economic Production of HPL According to DIN/EN 438 on the Universal Hydro Dyn Press, 1997 Asian Laminates Symposium Proceedings

In the production of HPL two different techniques are competing , the multi-opening and the continuous press system. Development went from small production lots in the past to mainly mass production nowadays, characterized by huge order quantities, but with the demand of sufficient flexibility in decor, texture , width, etc., in order to respond to smaller orders and customers varying attitude. For this reason the trend to continuous presses is obvious due to clear economic reasons. Consequently a number of market leaders have chosen for their production of HPL according to DIN / EN 438 ( 70 bars / 1000 psi specific press pressure ) the Hydro Dyn Double Belt Press, actually successfull and to the customers benefit operating in many plants worldwide. In the present paper the press system is explained and its properties are described . Attention is focused to economic questions, such as operating costs, system reliability, cost savings due to lower resin requirements, flexibility in product dimensions , cooling under pressure, and others. The recent technical modifications enabling those advantages, are described in detail. In addition , indications are made to the universal application of this