Flat.Duo Record Flattener / Relaxer

A groundbreaking innovation in the world of record care, the FLAT.DUO combines state-of-the-art technology with efficient design. Through the revolutionary use of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) for the housing construction, AFI was able to achieve a level of energy efficiency previously thought impossible and at the same time reduce the ecological footprint.

DUO stands for two records and two treatment methods
The name "DUO" in the FLAT.DUO stands for its duality in function and efficiency: the simultaneous treatment of two records and two types of treatment - flattening and relaxing. This saves time as well as improving sound quality.

Flattening with reduced treatment time
The FLAT.DUO's integrated fan enables two records to be smoothed simultaneously in just 1.75 hours - a significant time saving compared to the much longer treatment time of conventional models. The fan can be regulated in three stages or can even be deactivated.

Heating-Press Module
The innovative heat-press module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener enables two records to be flattened at the same time by stacking them in a piggyback or sandwich process. The sophisticated design of this module ensures even heat distribution and pressure, which is crucial for optimum results in the flattening process.

Torque Knurled Handle
The torque knurled handle plays a crucial role in the heat-press module of the FLAT.DUO record flattener by ensuring that the individual components of the module and the records are held together securely and pressed with exactly the right pressure. This is essential for the uniformity and high quality of the flattening process.

Expanded Polypropylene (aka EPP)
This material is ideal for use in a record flattening device as it has high-heat resistance and excellent thermal insulation. Consisting of 92% air and 8% polypropylene, it is also surprisingly lightweight.

Passive tempering/relaxing with EPP
For the first time, the use of EPP as an enclosure material makes passive tempering of vinyl records possible. The slower and more evenly the temperature drops at the end of the process, the better the tempering process and thus the sound improvement. Thanks to the excellent insulating properties of EPP, simply switching off the heating voltage is enough to achieve a perfect, ideally decreasing temperature curve. There is no need for reheating to extend the cooling phase.

Improved Energy Efficiency
The FLAT.DUO is surprisingly efficient, as its consumption is only 30 watts vs other more power hungry designs.

Complex housing design with EPP
EPP makes it possible to create complex enclosure designs that would otherwise be difficult to manufacture thanks to mold-based production. The durability of EPP leads to an extended product life.

Ecological and sustainable
EPP is environmentally friendly and recyclable, which means the FLAT.DUO leaves only a small ecological footprint.

Made in Germany
The FLAT.DUO is developed, designed and manufactured in Germany, continuing a tradition of innovation. Through continuous improvement and the incorporation of customer feedback, AFI combines proven technologies with new, innovative and smart solutions.

Sound improvement of vinyl records through thermal relaxation, (aka tempering)

The Record Flattener
Motivated by the knowledge that a warped record will directly influence every aspect of high-quality analog playback, including stylus alignment, tracking force, VTA, azimuth and anti-skating, the AFI team worked diligently to create a safe process by which to solve this issue. 

Development
During two years of research and development, countless test records were put through a variety of processes, varying temperature as well as warm-up, holding and cooling times. Obviously, the goal was a flat record, but sonic performance could not be compromised. During this time, AFI found a process which flattened the record while simultaneously improving sound quality. This is how their innovative idea of tempering vinyl records was born. This triggered another year-long round of development where work was devoted to determining the optimum temperature curves and holding times for tempering as well. 

What IS tempering?
Tempering, a form of heat treatment, has been used in all sorts of fabrication. The basic principles of tempering metal have been applied for hundreds of years. However, a systematic application of these techniques in modern industry began with the industrial revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. By application of heat and pressure, the material being tempered becomes much stronger, more durable and also more refined.

Why should you temper a record?
Records are pressed at around 150° C (~300°F), the pressing process takes around 30 seconds. After a short cooling phase, during which the vinyl matrices are cooled with water. The record is then removed for further cooling and stacked on a spindle, weighted down with metal plates. Due to the uneven and fairly rapid cooling - much faster on the outside than on the inside - and the toughness of the material, the long molecular chains of PVC and Polyvinyl Acetate have little chance to align themselves in a relaxed manner. This production method leads to material stresses which become "frozen" into the material and are (surprisingly) audible.

What happens during tempering?
During tempering, the vinyl record is slowly and evenly heated up to a plateau temperature. The record is held at this temperature for a while and then cooled down very slowly and in a controlled manner. This process can take up to four hours! Slow and regulated cooling is even more important than the heating cycle. Tempering process allows the molecules to align themselves naturally and without stress, significantly reducing tension, making the material harder, more robust and more homogeneous.