Frame Press systems
We offer two sizes of our standard FramePress which have been designed to offer the convenience of a framed membrane system but at a lower cost than the Pro versions. The lacquered 24mm thick birch ply frame is very sturdy and each leg is fitted with a levelling foot so that it can be adjusted in situ to ensure that the bed is flat. The bed itself is made out of solid 16mm thick high pressure laminate machined with groove pattern to aid the evacuation process.
Frame presses can be purchased without a vacuum pump assembly and therefore offer an upgrade route if you already have a bag based system with an adequately large pump. As a guide the smaller of the two FramePresses should be run off a minimum 16m3 per hour pump and the larger off a 25m3 per hour pump. Smaller pumps than this can be used but you may notice a slightly lower level of ultimate vacuum.
FramePress Pro systems are supplied with a 40m3 per hour vacuum pump.
FramePress - FP913
Internal dimensions of frame - 900mm x 1340mm
Height of standard polyurethane box membrane - 400mm
Recommended minimum pump size - 16m3 per hour
Vacuum level - up to 85% - 8.5 tonnes per m2 (with 16m3 per hour pump - not included)
UK RRP - £3275 ex VAT (£3930.00 inc VAT)
FramePress - FP922
Internal dimensions of frame - 900mm x 2255mm
Height of standard polyurethane box membrane - 400mm
Recommended minimum pump size - 25m3 per hour
Vacuum level - up to 85% - 8.5 tonnes per m2 (with 25m3 per hour pump - not included)
UK RRP - £4275 ex VAT (£5130.00 inc VAT)
FramePress Mini - FPMini (PU or LA)
Our brand new FramePress Mini is designed to sit on a work bench or table but is also available with an optional plywood stand with levelling feet to ensure total accuracy. Ideal for schools or small workshop use.
Both versions of the FPMini are suitable for use with the 4m3 per hour pump upwards. Please note, price does not include pump.
UK RRP - £1750 ex VAT (£2100.00 inc VAT)
The FPMini LA is fitted with a flat latex membrane for specialist applications such as instrument making or bonding art prints to mount boards.
The FPMini PU features a polyurethane box membrane to allow for the use of moulds 75mm high. The image below illustrates the membrane inflated to show dimensions.
Images show the FPMini on the (optional) plywood stand with adjustable feet, priced at £485 ex VAT (£582.00 inc VAT)
We can build FramePress models to other sizes so please contact us if you need a press of different dimensions.
For full specifications and prices please go to our online shop for details.
Box v flat membrane:
The first consideration is the workable size of the press. If you have a flat membrane, as the height of your mould increases the workable size of your press reduces, as you have to allow a border around the mould to allow to the frame to close without excessive strain being placed on the membrane-to-frame fixing system. With a box membrane the mould can extend to almost the full internal size of the frame with no problems whatsoever. The other consideration is the level of pressure that is being exerted on the panel when it is in the press. The edges of a panel being pressed under a flat membrane will not only be exposed to atmospheric pressure but also a significant additional pressure caused by the tension in the stretched membrane material. This can result in glue migration and therefore uneven moisture distribution in the panel. This can cause distortion of the panel as the glue fully cures and the glue line dries out. With a box membrane there is ‘spare’ material built into the membrane itself so you can tuck loose membrane around the mould and, once under vacuum, you can be sure that the entire panel is only exposed to perfectly even atmospheric pressure.
A FramePress
FramePress Mini with latex membrane
FramePress Mini with polyurethane box membrane
FramePress Mini with polyurethane box membrane, inflated to illustrate dimensions.