A general framework for a partial differential equation (PDE) model predictive control (MPC) problem is formulated. A first principle model of the system. described by a semi-linear PDE system with boundary control, is employed in a model predictive control (MPC) framework. Here, the aim is to determine, off-line (i.e. without process measurement), the theoretical optimal behavior of the process that will be used during on-line MPC. Input and output constraints are handled in the optimization task using a nonlinear programming method. This strategy is evaluated for the optimization of processing temperatures during the manufacture of thick-sectioned polymer composite laminates. The off-line optimization task consists of determining the optimal temperature profile, otherwise known as the cure cycle. Moreover, for this particular process, the existence of a feasible constrained optimization problem is discussed through the design of a constraint bound. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.