Design optimization of heating plates for hydraulic presses

The paper describes the problem of design optimization of heating plates for hydraulic presses used for heat treatment of rubber, plastics, and metals. The problem involves finding the number and capacity of heaters or the heating steam pressure, the appropriate configuration of slots for heaters or steam supply channels to ensure the required heating rate of the plate to the operating temperature, and the permissible level of non-uniformity of the temperature field of its working surface. The adequacy of the mathematical description of the thermal process in heating plates for presses is confirmed by comparing the results of the solution of mathematical models with the data of the industrial experiments. The results of solving the problem for induction heating plates and resistive heating plates are presented.