A device is provided for detaching a finish-molded workpiece, made of a thermoset, from a compression molding tool and for removing the workpiece from the molding press. In order to be able to carefully detach and remove compression molded parts of any desired shape from the compression molding tool, the removing gripper, which is preferably manipulated by an industrial robot, is designed according to the invention as a dimensionally stable suction bell which is adapted to the workpiece, covers the entire workpiece in a true-to-shape manner up to the workpiece edge and, with a contact-side soft-material seating, can be brought to bear in a sealing manner against the workpiece. Pockets which are sealed off from one another and each of which can be subjected individually to a vacuum are incorporated in the soft-material seating. Each of the separate vacuum connections mutually free of reaction is provided with a monitoring device which emits a signal in the event of a drop in vacuum below a threshold value. A plurality of plungers which can be set down on opposing surfaces on the lower die are attached to the edge of the suction bell. The removing gripper can be pushed off the lower die by the plungers.