User Manual
26
For critical temperature measurements, there are additional
thermocouple location holes (
23
) on the sides of the heated surfaces
(
20
) and (
21
). (See
Fig 11
.) An additional K-type thermocouple with an
independent temperature monitoring system may be used by insertion
of the thermocouple tip into the relevant location hole (
23
).
Evacuable pellet dies should
NOT
be pressed between the Atlas™
Heated Platens. Not only will this method for compaction of a sample
within a pellet die damage the heated platen assemblies (
1
) and (
2
), it
is also a very poor method for heating a pellet die.
Care and Cleaning of the Atlas™ Series Heated Platens
The Atlas™ Heated Platens can be removed from the Press and
stored carefully if they are not going to be used for a long period of
time. If the Press itself has a capability to apply loads in excess of the
15 ton maximum limit of the Atlas Heated Platens when they are being
used for pressing, removal of the heated platen assemblies allows for
this increased tonnage capability of the Press alone to be attained.
As mentioned previously, if the Atlas™ Series Heated Platens are not
going to be used for a long period of time, the cooling block parts (
6
) of
both the top (
1
) and lower (
2
) heated platen assemblies should be
stored
without any water inside them
. After disconnection of the
silicone tubing, any water left inside can be expelled carefully by
connection of either one of the water connection ports (
3
) to an airline
to blow the water out and away to a drain. (See
Fig 1.
and
Fig 4.)
If the aluminium heated platen surfaces become marked they may be
cleaned with a suitable solvent and cloth. Do not gouge or scrape at
any stubborn marks that may have been deposited on the surface after
a heating and cooling process, which may risk damage to the surface
itself. Water, methanol or acetone may be suitable to remove most
stains, but if the surface itself is physically damaged or becomes
dented from a “point load” effect, then it may be a requirement to
replace the aluminium heated platen surfaces with new. A smooth and
unblemished pressing surface will provide the most consistent and
reproducible heated pressing results.
