LabVac's support table houses an integrated vacuum pump that can create a low-pressure environment (30–40 mbar) in the press chamber. This allows testing without oxygen and/or with other gases such as nitrogen or argon. The air outlet at the rear of the press can be connected to an existing exhaust system to vent air and gases from the vacuum chamber.
The LabVac press is delivered with the 15" touchscreen ProView control system, which controls pressure, temperature and vacuum parameters according to the specific requirements of the material and test. The vacuum system can be controlled manually from the operating panel or as part of a recipe via the command set. After pressing, the press chamber can be quickly re-filled with air.
- Five clamping-force options: LabVac 50 / 200 / 400 / 600 / 1000 kN — the same vacuum performance and ProView precision
- Integrated vacuum pump — rapidly brings the press chamber to 30–40 mbar, no external equipment needed
- ProView — 15" touchscreen; manages clamping force, temperature and vacuum level simultaneously
- Optional argon/nitrogen connection — pressing under an inert gas atmosphere
- The vacuum environment eliminates trapped air, producing void-free, repeatable specimens
Introduction Video
Why Press Under Vacuum
The vacuum environment in the press chamber prevents the material from oxidizing or being contaminated by oxygen or other gases. It also eliminates trapped air, improving the material's adhesion and cure quality — delivering void-free, repeatable specimens especially for oxygen-sensitive materials such as fuel cell membranes, specialty elastomers and composite/prepreg applications.
Model Comparison
| Parameter | LabVac 50 | LabVac 200 | LabVac 400 | LabVac 600 | LabVac 1000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. clamping force | 50 kN | 200 kN | 400 kN | 600 kN | 1000 kN |
| Max. temperature | 300 °C | ||||
| Vacuum level | 30–40 mbar | ||||
| Daylight | 200 mm | ||||
| Control system | ProView 15" touchscreen | ||||
Plate size and voltage/current values vary by model — please contact us for current information.
Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Active cooling system | Automatic water cooling via electric valves; enables a fast switch to jobs requiring a lower temperature setting. |
| Argon / nitrogen connection | Enables pressing under an inert gas atmosphere; ideal for materials requiring a fully oxygen- and moisture-free environment, such as fuel cell membranes or specialty elastomers. |
| Light & sound signal | A signal light with audible alarm indicating press-cycle status; reduces the need to continuously watch the display. |
| Ethernet connection | Direct transfer of process data from the ProView system; for laboratory data management, quality control or traceability requirements. |
| External thermocouple connection | Integrates an external thermocouple with the ProView control system, allowing direct monitoring of specimen or mould temperature in critical processes. |
| Rapid heating system | Speeds up heating to 20 °C/minute — reaching 180 °C in 8 minutes instead of 16, and 300 °C in 14 minutes instead of 28. |
| Steel, aluminium & copper plates | Different thermal conductivity properties provide a material-specific temperature distribution profile. |
| Extended warranty & maintenance | The standard warranty period can be extended; a preventive maintenance/calibration plan for the vacuum system and press performance. |
| Custom configuration | The modular design can be customized for different temperature, clamping-force or plate-size requirements. |