Abstract: A method for operating a mechanical press including at least one electric drive motor, a drive control for controlling the at least one motor, a ram, a mechanical element for translating rotational motion of the at least one motor to linear motion of the ram in a first rotation direction, into a linear motion of the ram arranged to be lowered and raised along a linear path for operating the press to carry out a press cycle including a pressing part and one or more non-pressing parts of the press cycle, and by providing a control output to the drive control such that the speed of the at least one drive motor is varied during at least one pressing or non-pressing part of the press cycle. The press may be reversed between production cycles. Also press and system including a such press.