Abstract: An automatic press includes a first plate (2, 5), which is movable in translation along an axis, and a hydraulic jack (7), of which a piston (6) is secured to the first plate. The hydraulic jack commands the translation movement of the first plate to bring it into a first predetermined position (A) in relation to a reference postion (R1). The jack (7) is supported by a frame (3, 4, 8, 9). The press includes also a second plate (10, 12, 13), which supports an object (30) to be pressed; this second plate is situated facing the first plate. The jack (7) includes a mechanism (41) for bringing into control the position of the plate with the set predetermined position (A), and an opto-electronic member (16) for referencing the momentary positions of the first plate in the course of its movement. The automatic press has application to the manufacture of objects by pressing and also to welding done by bringing the plates together.