Used Compression Molding Presses for Sale • Lamination Presses

Used Compression Molding Presses in Stock

A compression molding press is a hydraulic press that closes a heated mold on a charge of rubber, plastic or composite material and holds pressure and temperature until the part cures. We keep more than 150 used compression molding and lamination presses in stock, owned and warehoused by us in Jackson, Michigan or Columbia, Tennessee, so you can ask for a video or schedule an in-person inspection with your salesperson before you buy.

Most have heated platens already installed, and many are 4-post or up-acting designs. Wabash is the builder we carry most, followed by PHI, Dake, Accudyne, Carver and TMP, in sizes from small lab presses to 1,000+ ton production presses.

How Compression Molding Works

A measured charge of material, such as rubber, SMC or BMC sheet molding compound, phenolic or another thermoset, is placed in an open, heated mold. The press closes, squeezes the material to fill the cavity, and holds tonnage and heat for the cure time (the dwell). Many presses add a breathe or bump cycle, briefly opening a fraction of an inch to let trapped gas escape. The press then opens and the part is removed or ejected. A lamination press works the same way but bonds stacked layers, like circuit board material, plastic sheet, veneers or ID cards, and often cools the platens before opening.

Compression vs. Transfer Molding vs. Lamination

Features That Matter

• Heated platens. Electric heat is the most common; steam and hot oil also show up. Check the maximum temperature (many reach 500°F to 650°F) and the number of heating zones.
• Cooled platens. Water or air cooling channels let you cool the part under pressure, which lamination and thermoplastics need.
• Multiple openings. Two or more daylights mold or laminate several loads per cycle on one press.
• Up-acting or down-acting. Up-acting presses keep the top platen fixed at a comfortable working height, which is why they're common for molding and lab work.
• Vacuum. A vacuum chamber pulls air out of the mold for void-free rubber and composite parts.
• Controls. Cure timers, breathe cycles, pressure holding and PLC recipe controls make cycles repeatable.

How to Size a Compression Molding Press

• Tonnage. Multiply the part's projected area (sq. in.) by the molding pressure your material needs (psi), then divide by 2,000. A 12" x 12" part (144 sq. in.) at 1,500 psi needs about 108 tons, so look at a 150 ton press. Your material supplier can give you the molding pressure.
• Platen size. The mold plus room for clamps, insulation and handling must fit on the platen.
• Daylight and stroke. Daylight must clear the closed mold height plus room to load the charge and remove the part.
• Heat. Match platen temperature, zones and heating power to your material's cure temperature and cycle time.

Need Heat on a Press That Doesn't Have It?

We can install new heated platens and controls on almost any compression molding press in stock, for an additional cost. Ask your salesperson for a quote with the platen size and temperature you need.

Compression Molding Press FAQ

What is a compression molding press?

A hydraulic press, usually with heated platens, that presses material into a heated mold and holds it under pressure until it cures. It's used for rubber, thermoset plastics and composites.

What is the difference between a compression molding press and a laminating press?

They are the same kind of machine. A laminating press bonds flat layers under heat and pressure, and usually has cooled platens and multiple openings. A compression molding press shapes material in a mold. Many presses can do both.

How hot do heated platens get?

It depends on the press. Many reach 500°F to 650°F, and some lab presses go higher. Each listing shows the platen temperature when we have it.

What is a breathe cycle?

A short, automatic opening of the mold early in the cure that lets trapped air and gases escape, which prevents blisters and voids in the part.

Can I see a press run before I buy?

Ask for a video, or schedule an in-person inspection with your salesperson at our Jackson, Michigan or Columbia, Tennessee warehouse.

Do you buy used compression molding presses?

Yes. We buy single presses, molding departments and complete plants. See sell your machinery or send us photos and the nameplate.

Inventory changes every week, and some presses arrive before they are listed. If you don't see the press you need, contact us with your tonnage, platen size, daylight and temperature.