Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing axially symmetrical solid bodies such as ear plugs or sealing members made of a soft resilient expanded plastics foam material wherein a die adapted to cooperate with a cutting matrix for punch-pressing is provided with means for pre-stressing the punched foam material prior to the actual cutting operation for obtaining bodies of different shapes. This pre-stressing means may consist of a dowel, a recess or a curved surface at the die head and/or projections, bevel surfaces, vacuum chambers at the cutting table. The die may be cylindrical, annular, square or of any other desired configuration.