Compact hot press

A compact hot press, comprising:

• a frame;
• a press unit attached to the frame, the press unit having a crown plate toward a top of the press unit, a base plate toward a bottom of the press unit, and a bolster plate intermediate the crown plate and the base plate, the bolster plate defining at least one aperture, the press unit having an upper press unit attached to the crown plate, the upper press unit being configured to receive an upper platen, the press unit having a lower press unit attached to the bolster plate, the lower press unit being configured to receive a lower platen, and the lower press unit being configured to contact the upper press unit when the press is closed such that the upper and lower platens are brought together to form a cavity between the upper platen and the lower platen, the cavity being arranged to receive a die therein, the press unit having a periphery;
• a heating unit attached to the frame, the heating unit being configured to heat the upper platen and the lower platen;
• a hydraulic unit attached to the frame and being attached to the press, the hydraulic unit being configured to move the bolster plate relative to the upper platen and the lower platen to a first position where the upper platen and lower platen are engaged at a pressure to a second position such that loading or unloading of the die is facilitated;
• a control unit attached to the frame, the control unit being configured to monitor the temperature of the upper platen and the lower platen, to monitor the pressure, and to control the heating unit and the hydraulic unit responsive to the monitored temperature, the monitored pressure, and to time;
• and,
• a plurality of pins attached to the base plate, the pins being configured to pass through the aperture in a manner to separate the die from the lower press unit when the press is in a die unload position.