Development of Laboratory Hot Compression Mounting Press Machine

Abstract.

This research focuses on the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a laboratory hot

mounting press machine for metallography using locally sourced materials and indigenous

technology. To achieve this research objective, working drawings were produced which were used

to produce the parts of the machine. Mild steel plates were used for the housing and the movable

platen while stainless steel and mild steel rods were used for the production of the mold and the

sturd respectively. From the design, the temperature of 180°C was used to melt resin by heat

supplied from band heater and heating time was 10 minutes. The pressure of 28 MPa was applied

by the hydraulic jack for the resin. The need to produce a user friendly and low cost laboratory

mounting press machine using indigenous technology and locally sourced materials led to this

study and hence, this research is recommended for use in metallurgical sectors, tertiary institutions

and research institutes such as The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure

(NASENI), Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Abuja, and National Board for

Technological Incubation (NBTI).

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