Abstract: A press plate block is provided and has capacity to conduct and transfer heat, a mounting interface for mounting the block onto a press machine, a press surface defining a press footprint the press surface elevated above the rest of the top surface area and having a peripheral edge, a first and second interface for accepting heating and temperature sensing components, a first radiused groove disposed adjacently to the peripheral edge of the press surface and a second radiused groove disposed orthogonally to the first groove, the second groove intersecting the first groove at a lower elevation, the second groove breaking out of the block at one end of the block.