Platen type molding press

In a platen type molding press having fixed and movable platens mounting mold components, the movable platen being mounted on guide rods extending between the fixed platen and a stationary base, a series-connected assembly of extensible platen drive and locking mechanism and extensible mold clamping mechanism interengaging the stationary base and the movable platen, the drive mechanism being operable to move the movable platen between a retracted, mold-open position for removing molded components therefrom and an extended position in which the mold component mounted on said movable platen is in a mold-closed position closed against the mold component mounted on the fixed platen and locked releasably against retraction from said mold-closed position, and the extensible mold clamping mechanism being operable to apply high clamping pressure to the mold component on the movable platen, the combination therewith of a second extensible platen drive mechanism connected between the stationary base and movable platen in parallel with said series-connected drive and locking mechanism and mold clamping mechanism for moving the movable platen between said extended, mold-closed position and a second retracted, mold-open position in which the mold component mounted on said movable platen is spaced from the mold component on the fixed platen a distance greater than the first mentioned retracted, mold-open position afforded by the first named platen drive and locking mechanism.