The press is the section of a die-cutting machine that drives the movable pressure plate against the die to cut and crease the cardboard. This invention improves the pressure-plate drive so that it delivers a large, uniform cutting force while reducing the inertial loading that arises when the plate reverses at high cyclicity. By stabilising the plate’s motion through the working cycle, the drive lowers dynamic loads on the machine, increases productivity, and improves the quality and consistency of cardboard die-cutting.