Abstract: A press for making rigid bodies out of fluent particles has, a cylinder block formed with a plurality of parallel cylinder bores opening into the chamber, respective pistons axially displaceable in the bores of the block, and respective little piston plungers fixed releasably to and projecting outward from the pistons. Respective little dies form little cavities in which the plungers are complementarily engageable. A holder positions workpieces of the particles in partially compacted condition in line with the cavities of the little dies so that respective little pushout plungers can push the workpieces out of the holders into the respective dies. A counter piston is displaceable hydraulically against the cavities after the workpieces have been pushed thereinto. The cylinders of the block are then pressurized to push the little piston plungers into the cavities and compress the workpieces therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a press for making brakeshoes and the like utilizes an intermediate mold carrying precompacted powder positioned on the press mold. The powder is engaged by the raised press ram and a lowered ejection ram such that the powder trapped between the rams is transferred to the press mold. The intermediate mold is then removed, a counter-pressure plate swingably mounted on a frame of the apparatus is applied into registry with the press mold and the press operation ensues.

Abstract: A method for charging a press for making brakeshoes and the like utilizes an intermediate mold to carry the precompacted powder. The intermediate mold is positioned on the press mold and the powder engaged by the raised press ram and a lowered ejection ram so that the powder trapped between the rams is transferred to the press mold. The intermediate mold is then removed, a counterpressure plate is applied and the press operation ensues.

Abstract: A precompact of flowable brake-lining composition is formed in an intermediate die by pressing the material in a direction perpendicular to the generatrices of the curved surfaces between which the material is pressed, whereupon the intermediate die is swung onto the hot-pressing die and the precompact transferred between synchronously driven rams into the hot-pressing die. A horizontal ram effects the final hot pressing of the precompact, advantageously directly bonding the same to a brakeshoe.