Abstract: A press machine (10) having a slide (18) operable by a clutch controlled rotatable drive system (24, 26, 30, 34) is provided. The press (10) includes a sensor (42) interconnected into the drive system (34) for sensing the rotation of the drive system (34). A timer (64) is provided for generating an elapsed time signal representing the amount of time for the drive system (34) to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position. Circuitry (64) is provided for comparing the elapsed time signal with a predetermined magnitude to thereby generate a signal representing the speed of the press (10). Circuitry (64) is further provided which is responsive to the speed signal for generating a control signal. The control signal is appolied to the clutch solenoid (40) for deactuating the clutch (24) to thereby enable stoppage of the press at a predetermined position at the top of the slide's (18) cycle.