Abstract: The specification describes a stepping advancing device more particularly r tables for receiving components during a stage of manufacture. The device comprises a crank drive adapted to reciprocate through 180.degree. and attached to the table. A pitman of the crank drive is pivotally connected at its free end remote from the crank shaft with an anchoring or fixing element guided for movement in the direction of movement of the table. This element is clamped to and freed from its guide at the respective end of movement of the crank drive. Furthermore there is a second fixing element, directly fixed to the table and which at the end of travel of the crank drive is detached from and clamped to a further guide, running in the direction of travel of the table, so as to perform an opposite movement to the first-mentioned fixing element.

Abstract: A press is disclosed for forming and shaping from ceramic powder articles ving a perimetrical leg-like portion. The press has an upper die and a lower mold, the latter having a central cavity closed at the top by a flexible membrane for receiving ceramic powder thereon. When the upper die closes on the mold, the membrane flexes to fit against the inside of the mold chamber. The mold chamber has flexible membrane walls which are forced inwardly by fluid pressure to shape and compress the perimetrical portions of the blank and upon release of the fluid pressure withdraw to permit removal of the finished blank.