Spindle press with replaceable clutch pads

A press comprising:

• a frame;
• a flywheel rotatable on the frame about an axis;
• a spindle rotatable on the frame about the axis;
• an axially displaceable ram and nut carried on the frame and threadedly engaging the spindle, whereby rotation of the spindle axially displaces the ram;
• a clutch between the flywheel and the spindle and including
• a clutch housing formed with a radially open service port,
• a flywheel clutch plate in the housing rotationally fixed to the flywheel,
• a spindle clutch plate in the housing rotationally fixed to the spindle, one of the plates being formed with axially open cavities and one of the plates being axially movable through a relatively long stroke between an outer position with the plates spaced apart and an inner position with the plates close together,
• respective high-friction coupling elements releasably received in the cavities and of a predetermined axial height shorter by a working distance than the long plate stroke,
• means including a coupling mechanism engaged between the movable clutch plate and the housing for displacing the movable plate through the long axial stroke and thereby effectively pressing the clutch plates axially together and rotationally linking the spindle and flywheel;
• and
• means including at least one stop operatively engageable with the clutch and displaceable between an operative position for limiting displacement of the movable plate to the working distance and an inoperative position permitting the movable plate to move through the entire axial stroke, the service port being oriented such that in the outer position of the movable plate the coupling elements can be displaced axially out of the respective cavities and removed radially from the clutch housing through the service port.