<p>A press drive with a central cam shaft actively connected through a connecting rod with a slide guided in a linear guide. Side bars are symmetrically articulated with respect to each other on the slide. Mass balancing weights are driven in opposed directions corresponding to reciprocating masses of the press, with the weights being connected with the slide by other linkages. Pairs of toggle joint linkages are disposed symetrically with respect to the cam shaft. The pairs of toggle joint linkages include a first almost horizontally disposed toggle joint linkage that is articulated on the respective side bars and presents a bearing point on the press frame. A second almost vertically disposed toggle joint linkage that is connected with the first toggle joint linkage and is articulated so as to be guided by the press frame on the mass balancing weight. A third almost vertically disposed toggle joint linkage is articulated on the punch through a transmission bar with the first and second toggle joint linkages and is braced in a direction of motion of the punch on the press frame.</p>
