Laboratory presses from Langzauner:
New standards in the development of composite materials

The application range of perfectLAB laboratory presses is consistently focused on research and development in the composite sector. Typical users are industrial companies with their own R&D departments, specialized research institutes, and universities. The presses map different process windows so that material tests, prototyping, parameter studies, and small-series production can take place on one system. This closely links development and later production, saving time and improving the transferability of laboratory results into series production.

The laboratory presses use electrically heated steel platens to ensure homogeneous temperature distribution in the tool area. Up to 250 °C is possible as standard, optionally up to 450 °C, covering a wide range of thermal composite processes. The heating rate is approximately 8 °C/min up to 250 °C, optionally up to 50 °C/min. Compressed-air/water cooling provides defined cooling profiles so that both fast cycles and material-friendly temperature curves can be realized.

Langzauner first records the requirements and key data of the processes to be mapped and analyzes the respective laboratory setting. On this basis, a perfectLAB configuration is selected in one of three sizes and supplemented with suitable options. Design, hydraulics, temperature control, and control technology are created in the in-house engineering department. During commissioning and the ramp-up phase, engineering teams support the optimization of parameters and processes. The result is a laboratory press precisely tailored to development goals and the working environment.

perfectLAB laboratory presses can use real-time data analysis through perfectDATA. Process variables such as pressure, travel, temperature, and time are recorded, visualized, and archived. This allows test series to be documented, parameter studies to be systematically evaluated, and results to be compared in a traceable way. The data provides a solid basis for material and process development, facilitates traceability, and supports scaling from laboratory to production scale, for example when designing later series presses.

The perfectLAB series is offered in three sizes and can be freely configured with numerous options. These include variable pressing areas, adjustable opening widths, different temperature and heating-rate ranges, and extensions in measurement and data technology. This modular concept allows laboratory presses to be adapted later to new materials, tools, or process windows. The system therefore remains usable over the long term, even as R&D priorities, standards, or customer requirements continue to develop.