High-Temperature Platens for Carbon Fiber: Why Composite Manufacturers Choose Venango

Nyla Vogel / January 29, 2025
High-Temperature Platens for Carbon Fiber

Since 1954, Venango Machine has manufactured premium-quality platens for countless critical industries. Recently, Venango Machine has specialized in designing and manufacturing high-temperature platens for carbon fiber processing, ensuring superior heat control and performance. While traditionally required in the rubber, laminate, and plywood industries, platens have become increasingly important in producing high-performance composites that combine superior strength with reduced weights. With an expansive facility, state-of-the-art equipment, and experienced engineering support customers can trust, Venango Machine is the United States leading manufacturer of high-temperature platens for carbon fiber. Send us a message to get the platen quoting process started, or continue reading here to learn more about the importance of electric platens for carbon fiber and how Venango can manufacture custom platens for unique applications.

 

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Meet with the experienced professionals at Venango Machine this spring at the SAMPE Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, from May 19th to the 22nd. Venango Machine will be at booth Y2 and can provide additional details on electric high-temperature platens for carbon fiber or composite manufacturing.

Why Carbon Fiber Manufacturing Needs High-Temp Platens

Carbon fiber manufacturers demand platens with uniform surface flatness, custom sizes, and above all else the capacity to reach, and hold extremely high temperatures. Carbon fiber is a woven mat of durable fibers that are coated with resin that requires both high temperatures and pressures to adequately cure and provide the desired performance attributes. Ultimately, finished carbon fiber products can provide strength that surpasses steel but at a fraction of the weight making it ideal for performance automotive, aerospace, military, and medical applications. To ensure proper structural integrity and strength in the final product, carbon fiber must be cured at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1,000℉. Steam and thermal fluid platens, suitable for plywood and rubber applications, are incapable of reaching and holding these temperatures, making Venango Machine electric platens the ideal high-temperature option for carbon fiber manufacturing.

 

Electric platens come in a variety of different heating options including cartridge, strip, single, and MultiZone depending on the specific demands for carbon fiber manufacturing. Electrically heated platens offer faster heat-up and recovery times compared to alternative heating methods and further increase production efficiency.

 

  • TYPE SE | Strip Electric Platen: Electrically heated platens with strip-type heating elements run throughout the platen at regular intervals. Heating strips are easily replaceable in case of burnout but may not meet the necessary temperature requirements for carbon fiber manufacturers.

 

  • TYPE CE | Cartridge Electric Platen: Ideal for higher-temperature manufacturing and even vacuum applications, the round cartridge heaters evenly heat the platen surface and can be made into a strip electric design.

 

  • TYPE HT | Heat Tube Platen: With two layers of cartridge heating tubes overlaying one another, heat tube platens are extremely cost-effective for high-temperature applications due to their rapid heating capabilities.

 

  • TYPE EWC | Electrically Heated & Water Cooled Platen: These platen types are ideal for high-production applications that require quick turnaround times at elevated temperatures.

Custom Multi-Zone Platens Tailored for Carbon Fiber Production

To best address the unique demands of carbon fiber manufacturers, Venango Machine specializes in electric MultiZone platens that provide the most consistent temperature control and surface uniformity. With an additional control panel to enhance operation, MultiZone platens are designed to meet custom requirements like surface size, temperature ranges, and cooling times. Considering the sensitivity of certain resins used in carbon fiber production and other composite manufacturing industries, the impressive control offered by MultiZone electric platens reduces waste, improves product quality, and increases throughput.

 

Unlike other platen manufacturers, Venango Machine can provide on-site setup, training, and troubleshooting for electric platens and control panels to guarantee the platens provide optimal performance on the first run. We pride ourselves on our customer service skills and believe that our American-made electric high-temperature platens for carbon fiber manufacturing are the best solution money can buy.

Superior Platen Manufacturing at Venango Machine

Venango Machine is dedicated to the level of customer support and engineering assistance to make it the top choice for high-temperature platens in carbon fiber manufacturing. With a diverse set of standard and custom electric platen options, including MultiZone designs, Venango ensures each platen can achieve the consistent heat, efficiency, and quality necessary for high-performance composites. With decades of industry expertise, Venango Machine delivers platens that maximize productivity while maintaining the integrity of even the most demanding carbon fiber applications. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how our platens can enhance your manufacturing process.

 

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