Abstract: A device for rapidly increasing the roll nip in an apparatus comprising a pair of rolls such as a calender for plastics material or rubber or a rolling mill is disclosed. The device engages with spindles which are normally present in such apparatuses for ensuring parallel adjustment of the roll nip. The device comprises an auxiliary drive in the form of hydraulic cylinders or the like which activate lever arms connected to a disc member. The disc-shaped member meshes with the spindle. The spindle also carries an external screw-thread which threadedly engages with a spur wheel. On rotation of the disc member, the spindles move up the thread on the spur wheel. Since the spindles are connected to bearing blocks for one of the rolls, the rolls execute an axial, lifting movement and, in consequence, the roll nip is rapidly increased.