A press that includes a push rod (12) that can be pushed downward to cut and mold miniature components, has a small size and a minimum number of components, and can be easily and precisely controlled. The push rod has a largely upwardly-facing shoulder (140) that lies in a chamber that can receive pressured hydraulic fluid to push down the push rod. A piezoelectric actuator, or piezoactor (18), moves a piston (20) that lies in a pressure cylinder. One end of the pressure cylinder holds hydraulic fluid (130), and when the piezoactor pushes the piston it pressurizes the hydraulic fluid therein. Pressured hydraulic fluid in the pressure cylinder flows through a passage (23) to the rod chamber to press down the push rod. The cross-sectional area of the pressure cylinder is many times greater than the cross-sectional area of the push rod shoulder so slight movement of the piezoactor is magnified many times by the hydraulic fluid to move the push rod with a long stroke.
What is disclosed is a drive mechanism, in particular for blanking and nibbling machines, comprising a hydraulic force transmitting element and a spindle drive for driving the force transmitting element, wherein a pre-tensioning means for pre-tensioning the force transmitting element is provided.
