A modular press assembly for performing multiple position pressing with a
single press. The modular press assembly includes a floating mount
attached to the upper platen of the press, a hydraulic cylinder, and a
press ram coupled to the cylinder which automatically guides itself
precisely into axial alignment with a die situated on a lower platen and
containing material to be pressed. A plurality of such press assemblies
are mounted on the upper platen and are connected through respective flow
control valves to an independent hydraulic control system to allow
adjustment of the travel of the multiple press rams. This configuration
facilitates multiple position pressing and equally divides the total
press force from the single hydraulic press, distributing it among each
of the multiple positions independent of the final height of each pressed
body.