Thank you Gentlemen,
Lots I need to learn about thermophysics (among other things)...
I designed the die block with the thermal probe mounted in the larger 32mm X-section because I thought it might allow the probe to be relatively close to the die surface (reducing dT across copper) with minimal shadowing of the heat flux by the temp probe hole.
I'm also thinking about incorporating a load cell into my next rev to measure actual clamping force.
Back to reading up on some of the links posted to U of Waterloo examples and calcs! Thanks again,