Abstract: A forming tool has a die with a seat for receiving material to be formed, an upper punch axially movable into and out of the seat from one side of the die, a lower punch axially movable into and out of the seat from the opposite side of the die, a movable loading device for introducing the material into the seat, an impact press for subjecting the upper punch to a series of compacting impacts, a unit for supplying drive force to the tool and a control device for controlling the motion of the movable parts of the tool. An impact head is positioned above the die, supports the upper punch, and receives the compacting impacts delivered by the impact press. The impact head is guided and aligned with a cavity in the die by a vertically adjustable roof. The impact head is thereby mechanically disengaged from the roof.