Crosshead and bolster spacing control for servo controlled press

In combination with a press having a base, a bolster movable relative to said base, a plurality of columns, and a crosshead mounted on said columns for movement toward and away from said bolster, the improvement comprising a transducer assembly for controlling the positioning of the crosshead and bolster relative to each other until said crosshead is moved along said columns a preselected amount away from said base, and then providing a signal indicating the position of said bolster relative to said base, including a housing mounted in a fixed position relative to said base, a first slidable member extending in a first direction from said housing, a second slidable member extending from said housing in a direction away from said base, stop means to prevent said second member from sliding away from said base more than a selected amount, means on said bolster engaging said first member and causing sliding movement thereof as the bolster moves relative to the base, means on said crosshead to engage said second member and move it away from the stop means when said crosshead is moved to a preselected position adjacent said base, means to sense the relative position between said first and second members, and bias means urging said first and second members away from each other.