Abstract: A programmable pellet press for compressing a powdered sample and forming a sample disc, including a hydraulic mechanism for compressing the sample in a mold operatively and electrically connected to a control mechanism for commanding an exertion of low constant preloading pressure followed by pressure increases with constant pressure dwell times upon the hydraulic mechanism. An algorithm for a programmable pellet press on computer readable media including performing a pressurization subroutine, performing a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback loop, performing a depressurization subroutine, and performing an unloading subroutine when pressure is at a baseline level.