Abstract: The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region.

Abstract: The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a laminate pack into a press and for discharging the finished product such as a laminated, finished board. A plurality of lifters and holders arranged on support arms are provided along the longitudinal edge of the finished board to remove it from the press. These same support arms carry conveyors to transport the laminate pack into the press at the same time or before the finished board is discharged. Fast operating cycles are obtained by reducing the feeding and discharge operating times.