I posted this one over in the measurement forum, but have since determined that most likely the challenge I am dealing with though not specifically a composite operation is something that has been developed for the composite world.

Currently I have a process where I have a heated press that is bonding 2 materials together at high temperature and pressure over a 18" by 18" or so heated press platen. Right now the conditions between the press platens are a big black box to us, and we need to better understand what is taking place inside in terms of temperature, pressure and shear. I found the following company http://www.4fos.com/ who apparently has a very neat fiber optic measurement system that can be embedded inside of my mold and used to measure up to 1000points per meter, of temperature or strain. Now the only thing missing is an understanding of local pressures between the platens.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with fiber optic temperature/pressure measurement systems specifically used to determine what is taking place between heated platens? If so has anyone ever worked with the guys at http://www.4fos.com/, who are the other players in this area? Is there any other technologies out there being used to do temperature, strain and pressure mapping during the composite pressing process?