An apparatus for the controlled return of the stems in cylinders of the types that can be applied to a press for stamping sheet metal, for the translation of a first sheet presser element, said first sheet presser element being in contact with said stems and being proximate to a first die part, said first sheet presser element cooperating with a second sheet presser element which is integral with a slider of said press, said slider supporting a second die part which is complementary to said first die part, said apparatus comprising: - at least one fluid-operated cylinder, - at least one hydraulic accumulator which is fluidically connected to said at least one cylinder by means of a hydraulic circuit which comprises: - a duct for the discharge of the working fluid from said at least one cylinder and a duct/branch for the intake of the working fluid in said hydraulic accumulator, - a duct for loading said working fluid in said at least one cylinder and at duct/branch for the output of said working fluid from said hydraulic accumulator, said apparatus comprising, between said discharge duct and said intake duct/branch, at least two branches of said hydraulic circuit: - a first branch, for the discharge of said working fluid during the translation of said slider towards the bottom dead center, - a second branch, for the discharge of the overpressure of said residual working fluid within said at least one cylinder, once said slider has reached the bottom dead center, characterized in that said at least one cylinder has: - a first one-way valve affecting said discharge duct, and - a second one-way valve affecting said loading duct. said apparatus comprising: - at least one fluid-operated cylinder, - at least one hydraulic accumulator which is fluidically connected to said at least one cylinder by means of a hydraulic circuit which comprises: - a duct for the discharge of the working fluid from said at least one cylinder and a duct/branch for the intake of the working fluid in said hydraulic accumulator, - a duct for loading said working fluid in said at least one cylinder and at duct/branch for the output of said working fluid from said hydraulic accumulator, - at least one fluid-operated cylinder, - at least one hydraulic accumulator which is fluidically connected to said at least one cylinder by means of a hydraulic circuit which comprises: - a duct for the discharge of the working fluid from said at least one cylinder and a duct/branch for the intake of the working fluid in said hydraulic accumulator, - a duct for loading said working fluid in said at least one cylinder and at duct/branch for the output of said working fluid from said hydraulic accumulator, said apparatus comprising, between said discharge duct and said intake duct/branch, at least two branches of said hydraulic circuit: - a first branch, for the discharge of said working fluid during the translation of said slider towards the bottom dead center, - a second branch, for the discharge of the overpressure of said residual working fluid within said at least one cylinder, once said slider has reached the bottom dead center, - a first branch, for the discharge of said working fluid during the translation of said slider towards the bottom dead center, - a second branch, for the discharge of the overpressure of said residual working fluid within said at least one cylinder, once said slider has reached the bottom dead center, - a first one-way valve affecting said discharge duct, and - a second one-way valve affecting said loading duct.