Abstract: A method for hot metal forming of workpieces with at least two secondary adjacent form elements lying non-symmetrically to the axis of the main form element and slightly spaced from each other, particularly for the manufacture of crankshafts, whereby a rod-shaped starting material is warmed in the range of the secondary adjacent form elements to be formed thereon and a material bulging accumulation is produced in common for all of the adjacent form elements by means of an axial upsetting or compression. The adjacent form elements are shaped by drop-forging with a spacing from one another which is enlarged with respect to the final form, and after the flash trimming of the latter intermediate shape, the final form is produced by compression of the form part which lies between the secondary adjacent form elements with a simultaneous calibration of the final spacing.

Abstract: A friction disc spindle press which has a countershaft with two side discs rotatably but axially nondisplaceably connected to the end portions respectively of the countershaft which latter is axially displaceably mounted in the press frame. Each end of the countershaft, by means of a self-aligning radial bearing and a self-aligning axial bearing is journaled in a displaceable bushing which, in its turn, is displaceably guided in the press frame.