Hydraulic Press Platens: New, Replacement, and Refurbished
West Coast Rubber Machinery manufactures new hydraulic press platens and refurbishes existing platens for rubber compression molding, vacuum molding, and lamination presses. WCRM platens are machined to precision flatness, fitted with heating channels for electric, hot oil, or hot water systems, and available in custom dimensions to match your press and tooling requirements.
Process Control Upgrades – Accudyne Hydraulic Presses
New Platens, Replacement Platens, and Refurbished Platens
New Platens: Manufactured to your dimensions, heating configuration, and surface finish requirements. WCRM machines new platens in-house from appropriate steel to match your press and process specifications.
Replacement Platens: Drop-in replacements for worn or damaged platens on existing presses. We can match the dimensions and heating configuration of your current platen or improve on it where the original design was limiting performance.
Refurbished Platens: Existing platens returned to usable condition through surface refacing, heating channel restoration, and dimensional correction. A cost-effective option when the base material is sound but the working surface has worn or warped.
The Platen Is the Interface Between Your Press and Your Part
A hydraulic press delivers tonnage and heat. The platen distributes both of those to the mold. When platen flatness, surface condition, or temperature uniformity degrades, the quality problems show up in the parts—incomplete fill, inconsistent cure, warpage, and surface defects that are often blamed on the compound or the mold before the platen is evaluated.
Flatness & Parallelism
A platen that has warped or been damaged no longer distributes mold pressure evenly across the full working area. Low spots result in areas of under-pressure; high spots cause localized over-pressure. Both produce inconsistent parts.
Surface Condition
Damaged or corroded platen surfaces affect heat transfer consistency and can damage mold parting surfaces over time.
Heating Channel Integrity
Clogged, corroded, or leaking heating channels reduce temperature uniformity across the platen surface—one of the most common causes of cure inconsistency in rubber molding.
Thermal Uniformity
Temperature variation across the platen surface translates directly into cure variation across the mold cavity. Parts cured hotter than intended over-cure; parts cured cooler under-cure.
Electric, Hot Oil, and Hot Water Heated Platens
Electric (Cartridge or Rod Heaters)
Cartridge or rod heaters installed in machined bores through the platen body. Suitable for presses where plumbing hot fluid is not preferred or practical. Zone control available for improved temperature uniformity.
Hot Oil Heated Platens
Machined internal channels circulate hot oil from a temperature control unit. Provides consistent temperature distribution across the full platen face. Common in presses requiring precise temperature control and fast cycle response.
Hot Water Heated Platens
Similar channel design to hot oil, using pressurized hot water as the heat transfer medium. Used in applications with specific temperature ranges where hot water systems are preferred.
Engineering FAQ
Can you make a replacement platen to match my existing press?
Yes. We can manufacture replacement platens to match the dimensions, heating configuration, and mounting arrangement of your existing press. The Platen Spec Worksheet helps document the information we need to configure an accurate quote.
How do I know if my platen needs refacing or replacement?
Platens that show surface pitting, corrosion, or physical damage may be candidates for refacing if the base material is structurally sound. Platens with severe warpage, cracked sections, or compromised heating channels may require replacement. Contact WCRM with photos and dimensional information to discuss your specific situation.
What steel is used for WCRM platens?
Material selection depends on the operating temperature, pressure, and application requirements. Contact WCRM to discuss material options for your specific press and process conditions.
How long does it take to get a replacement platen?
Lead time depends on the platen dimensions, heating configuration, and current production schedule. Provide your specifications using the Platen Spec Worksheet and we will give you an accurate lead time estimate as part of the quote.
Ready to Specify a Platen?
Start with the Platen Spec Worksheet to document your press and platen requirements, then submit for a quote. Or contact our team directly if you have questions before filling out the worksheet.