ITI specializes in the production of five press designs: a four tier vacuum press, a three tier platen press, a three table nested press, a single clamshell press, and a vacuum bag press. The 4 tier press is the fastest, most user friendly design. Unlike competitor’s models, the ITI 4 tier press incorporates fail safe functionality which causes the press to open harmlessly rather then close uncontrollably in the event of a mechanical failure. Safety is further enhanced by requiring secondary operator clearance verification prior to tier movement, the addition of safety curtains, and the option of a safety light curtain. More user friendly than the other designs on the market, the ITI 4 tier press is easy to operate, thanks to an Allen Bradley touch screen interface, and has narrow posts at the tier corners in conjunction with an air bearing surface, simplifying laminate removal off either the end or the side of the tier. Maintenance has been kept to a minimum by eliminating redundant actuators and reducing the number of moving parts. The structure has also been strengthened, eliminating the table sag found in other brands out in the field.
The three tier platen press in similar in functionality to the 4 tier vacuum press, but is designed to operate in a fully automatic mode with a specialized bead applicator/transfer table unit. Interacting with vacuum lifters and saw tables, the automatic platen press and applicator reduce operator interaction to an initial production run setup.
Largest and most popular is the 10’ x 45’ nested press. Run on v-groove tracks, each table nests in a stack of 3 and is pulled sideways out of the stack where it are raised or lowered hydraulically to the applicator conveyor height. The vacuum tarp is clamped manually to the table perimeter. Nested presses can be operated in sets of 1, 2, 3, or 4 stacks of 3 at the ends and/or sides of the applicator conveyors. Other low cost alternatives to the tier or nested press include a clamshell press, a pivoting vacuum bag that seals against a shuttle board on the applicator conveyor, and a vacuum bag press, a roll around cart that can handle a stack of panels in conjunction with a deep vacuum bag suspended from an overhead lift.