Patent ID: 8381645

Claim:
A radial press for radial deformation of workpieces ( 1 ) relative to a press axis ( 2 ), comprising: a first structure ( 9 ) having a first press yoke ( 3 ) and a second structure ( 10 ) having a second press yoke ( 4 ), wherein the two press yokes form a receiving chamber ( 5 ) for a press die ( 6 ) comprising a plurality of press jaws ( 7 ) and, under the action of a drive unit ( 12 ), the second structure can be moved linearly relative to the first structure by a press stroke between an open position and a press end position in a working plane disposed perpendicular to the press axis, and also wherein, in the open position of the radial press, a lateral charging opening ( 13 ) is formed between the two press yokes, the drive unit is disposed offset from the press axis only on the side facing away the charging opening and the press die is of split construction, so that, in the open position of the radial press, the workpiece can be fed laterally, in a direction transverse relative to the press axis, through the charging opening into the press die, wherein a support drive ( 20 , 20 ′), which is disposed on the side of the drive unit ( 12 ) facing away from the press axis ( 2 ) and can be continuously varied in length to a defined extent within a support stroke, acts between the first structure ( 9 ) and the second structure ( 10 ), to supply at least over one part of the press stroke an opposing force acting between the first structure and the second structure in a direction counter to the direction of action of the drive unit.