Composite programs move fast—specs tighten, materials evolve, and tooling windows shrink. That’s why the Sutherland family of presses, including KC Presses, is built with a controls-first approach that unifies mechanics and motion.
From compact servo-hydraulic C-frames to large four-post and straight-side compression systems, our portfolio is engineered to keep parts consistent and cycles short—without adding complexity to the line.
By pairing proven press structures with I-PRESS® & Automation and four-corner level monitoring, teams gain predictable process windows across jobs and shifts. The results are measurable: better laminate thickness control, cleaner fiber architecture, and repeatable consolidation—even when tools run hot and loads vary across the platen.
Our lineup is designed for the applications composite manufacturers run every day:
DPS Four-Post presses provide excellent bed/slide parallelism and access for large tools. HPS Straight-Side and HUX Series presses deliver the rigidity and slide guidance needed for demanding parts and molds.
This platform strategy lets teams scale from development to production with common controls and a shared options menu. Whether installing a single cell or a multi-press line, the same core architecture supports cushions, heated platens, and automation handshakes—reducing commissioning time and simplifying support.
I-PRESS® integrates motion, pressure, temperature, and data into one environment. Engineers can build, validate, and lock recipes quickly with programmable profiles for approach, forming, dwell, and decompression—all in a single stroke.
For teams standardizing across plants, common HMI logic, job libraries, and diagnostics shorten training and reduce variability. Recipe portability ensures that a validated process in one facility can be reproduced in another with confidence—accelerating launches and tightening quality loops.
Parallelism is critical in composites. The four-corner level monitor provides real-time feedback at each corner, visualized on-screen to verify platen alignment at contact and at bottom dead center under load. This visibility turns parallelism from a “black box” into a controllable parameter.
When paired with servo-hydraulic packages and proportional valves, active control maintains parallelism during consolidation and cure windows. The payoff: fewer surprises, less fiber wash, reduced resin pooling, and tighter thickness variation—especially on large-format tools and asymmetric layups.
Hydraulic performance is anchored by Bosch Rexroth fluid management with servo-driven pump options. Benefits include:
The fluid circuit is designed for reliability and serviceability, with clear diagnostics and maintenance-friendly layouts. Faster response, stable pressures, and consistent flow translate into repeatable parts and fewer process interruptions.
Every press is built on a Category 3 / PL d safety architecture, combining robust hardware with intuitive, on-screen guidance for operators and maintenance teams.
Integrated diagnostics, remote support enablement, and preventive maintenance programs reduce unplanned downtime. Frames are FEA-engineered and heat-treated for stability, while guidance systems maintain alignment over time and temperature—protecting tools, improving part quality, and extending productive life.
With I-PRESS®, programmable motion and pressure profiles make it simple to segment each stroke. Engineers can:
The combination of precise motion control and active leveling shortens trials and keeps cycle times competitive. As materials or specifications evolve, teams can adjust profiles without retooling the entire cell.
Open architecture simplifies integration with robots, feeders, and MES/ERP systems. Job libraries and data logging support continuous improvement—a clear path to control fidelity, parallelism, and reliability without added complexity.
🌐 Web: www.SutherlandPresses.com
📧 Email: CompositeCrew@SutherlandPresses.com
📞 Phone: 1-310-453-6981
Press On & Forge Ahead. With Sutherland and KC Presses, composites perform with confidence.
Composite programs move fast—specs tighten, materials evolve, and tooling windows shrink. That’s why the Sutherland family of presses, including KC Presses, is built with a controls-first approach that unifies mechanics and motion.
From compact servo-hydraulic C-frames to large four-post and straight-side compression systems, our portfolio is engineered to keep parts consistent and cycles short—without adding complexity to the line.
By pairing proven press structures with I-PRESS® & Automation and four-corner level monitoring, teams gain predictable process windows across jobs and shifts. The results are measurable: better laminate thickness control, cleaner fiber architecture, and repeatable consolidation—even when tools run hot and loads vary across the platen.
