I was discussing rosin presses and plates at the local hydro store. Another brand suffers from chronic plate failures. The plates are a little thinner, and broke along the line of the heating element. These plates had the same general construction as the Dabpress plates.
Those cages serve three purposes. They provide return pressure with their springs. They keep the plates aligned during the pressing process, and the outer stainless steel top and bottom plates provide additional strength and backing for the heated plates. They prevent the cracked plates common to the other brand.
Dabpress has used thicker material for the heated plates, and has a stainless steel pressure transfer block on the top plate. The bottom plate is not protected like this. I don't know if they would benefit from resting on a solid steel bar in the hydraulic press. These plates do have what I see as an advantage over their caged cousins. As the dentist says, "Open wide." You can separate the plates further and squeeze in a taller puck.
When I evaluated the Dabpress offerings of Rosin Press Plates, Caged Rosin Plates, and their Hydraulic Rosin Presses, It seems that only their pre-built presses have a layer of insulation between the press and the plates. This, and the fact that I can't buy a 10 ton hydraulic press for the price difference sold me on the Dabpress dp-hr10t35v Driptech Hydraulic Rosin Press Kit.
My order will be submitted Monday, provided the base pricing remains the same.