Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet or oil shear clutch/brake drive unit is provided including elimination of undamped clearances. Lubrication oil utilized in the press flywheel bearing is ported and communicated into the clutch brake unit for use therein, eliminating the use of two separate lubrication or oil transport systems. A hydrostatic oil bearing on the brake/clutch actuator member (actuation plate) eliminates the use or need of an anti-friction bearing between the actuator member and the brake and clutch members.

Abstract: A press including a flywheel which is axially shifted along the quill to which it is rotatably mounted from an idle position to an engaged position during engagement of the flywheel by the clutch connected to the press crankshaft, and which is axially biased to the idle position when the clutch is subsequently disengaged. The press includes a rigid drive disk, connected to the flywheel for rotation therewith, that is engaged by a clutch mechanism to drivingly couple the press crankshaft to the flywheel. The rigid drive disk and the flywheel are both axially shifted during clutch engagement. Spring elements between the quill or non-rotating press frame and the flywheel are compressed when the flywheel is so shifted, and these spring elements return or axially shift the flywheel and drive disk to an idle position when the clutch mechanism is subsequently disengaged.