Abstract: The ram of a hot-stamping press is driven by means of a movable rack that can be allowed to change position with respect to the ram. The rack engages gears on the end of the ram opposite its head, but during the initial portion of its stroke an air cylinder interior to the ram prevents relative motion between the movable rack and the ram. As a consequence, the ram moves at the same velocity as that of the rack during the initial portion of the stroke. Stationary racks are also provided, and additional gears mechanically linked to the gears engaged by the movable rack begin to engage the stationary rack toward the end of the stroke. This requires relative motion of the movable rack relative to the ram despite the force applied by the air cylinder inside the ram, and the velocity of the ram is thereby reduced to a fraction of that of the rack. This results in force multiplication toward the end of the ram stroke.