Retrofit systems for converting manual presses to automated presses

A retrofit system for converting a manual press to an automated press, the manual press having a frame configured to support a manually actuated press assembly, the frame including a first vertical member, a second vertical member horizontally spaced from the first vertical member, a first cross member supported by and spanning between the first vertical member and the second vertical member, and a second cross member spaced from the first cross member and supported by and spanning between the first vertical member and the second vertical member, the second cross member and the first cross member spaced to accommodate the manually actuated press assembly, the retrofit system comprising:

• a first shaft mounted to the first vertical member and coupled to the first cross member and to the second cross member;
• a second shaft mounted to the second vertical member and coupled to the first cross member and to the second cross member;
• a first spacer supported by the first shaft and disposed between the first vertical member and the first cross member;
• and
• a second spacer supported by the second shaft and disposed between the second vertical member and the first cross member;
• wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are selected to increase the space between the first cross member and the second cross member to accommodate an automatically actuated press assembly.