Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a movable member, at least one linear electrical actuator for generating a first force, and at least one linear hydraulic actuator for generating a second force. The at least one linear electrical actuator and the at least one linear hydraulic actuator are arranged such that the first force and the second force act in parallel on the movable member in order to result in a combined force.

Abstract: A method of notching lamina workpieces with a notching press system. The method includes moving a ram and an upper tooling section to an open position and inserting a lamina workpiece onto an indexing spindle, and then moving the ram and the upper tooling section to a closed position, producing a cut opening in the lamina workpiece between a punch and a first die opening. The press ram and the upper tooling section are then moved back to the open position and the index motor is rotated to position the cut opening of the workpiece over a second die opening. The torque applied to the index motor is then reduced, and the press ram and the upper tooling section are moved to an intermediate position so that the piloting device cooperates with the cut opening of the workpiece for angular positioning of the workpiece.