Cold Press Machine Vs Membrane Press

Working Principle

Cold press machine: In this type of machine a use the flat wood panels after only apply adhesive sticks together using hydraulic pressure (not heat). Fundamentally a membrane press uses a pliable silicone or rubber membrane to (with vacuum and usually heat) tightly press decorative materials against either flat, curved, or profiled workpieces.

Suitable Applications

Usually cold press machines are used for plywood, MDF, HDF, Particleboard, blockboard veneer lamination furniture panels and flat door core. These are mostly used for the wrapping of PVC film, wood veneer or decorative foils to cabinet doors, furniture components, wall panels and other 3D or curved products.

Processing Capability

Hydraulic cold press machines create a significan and consistent pressure over larger surfaces and as such are used in the making of flat panels. Membrane presses follow grooves, raised profiles, curved edges and complex shapes which would not be possible with a standard flat press — so these types of presses are suitable for decorative furniture components.

Production Efficiency and Investment

Production cycles and throughput are usually high for flat panel manufacturing in cold press machines. Unlike molded presses, where some quickly processing and lots of automation is available, membrane presses have longer overall cycle times (due to vacuum forming and heating cycles) with more flexibility in terms of producing complex surface designs for higher value decorative products.

Which Machine Should You Choose?

We recommend choosing a hydraulic cold press machine if your factory primarily produces plywood, laminated board, furniture panel, blockboard or flat door panel because this choice is more efficient and has better bonding performance and lower production cost. If you make PVC cabinet doors, membrane doors, 3D decorative panels or profiled furniture components and your production is limited to it — the membrane press will be a better fit for you. However, nowadays many modern furniture factories use them both: the cold press is working for flat panel lamination and the membrane press produces finished decorative components with shaped surfaces.