Abstract: Servo hemming press includes a direct drive system powered with a centrally located common planetary gear servo drive. A pair of connecting rods can actuate a slide vertically up and down to close the hemming tools and can perform the desired hemming operation. A planetary gear box preferably with dual output shafts is directly coupled to the crank shafts through couplings. The bottom end of the connecting rod can be connected to a pivot pin block that is secured to the base of the press. A spring-type overload protector can be incorporated between the base and the pivot pin block to protect the press from possible overloading beyond the rated tonnage capacity. The desired torque to deliver the rated tonnage to perform the hemming operation is delivered directly by a servo motor connected to the planetary gear box, thereby eliminating a flywheel and clutch of earlier systems.