Punch press

A punch press with a crank or eccentric drive, comprising a crank or eccentric shaft and active connecting rods for generating stroke movement of a press ram, and with balancing weights for balancing vertical and horizontal mass forces, wherein the punch press is adapted in such a way that horizontal drive movements required for horizontal mass balancing are tapped directly and laterally at the crankshaft or eccentric shaft, wherein the punch press is adapted in such a way that drive movements required for the vertical mass forces balancing are tapped directly at the crankshaft or eccentric shaft, wherein the press is adapted in such a way that each of the balancing weights serves to balance both horizontal and vertical mass forces, wherein the punch press is adapted in such a way that the active connecting rods extend from the crankshaft or eccentric shaft in a direction of the press ram, wherein the ends of the active connecting rods facing away from the crankshaft or eccentric shaft are each articulated to one end of a single-sided lever, the other end of which is mounted in an articulated manner on the housing of the punch press, either directly or via further coupling members, and wherein a thrust shackle, which is connected to the press ram, is articulated to each of the single-sided levers in a region between their two ends.