Heavy steel fabricated body of l-beam and plates construction. Graded cast-iron platens of liberal thickness. Uniquely designed telescopic main press cylinder. Cylinder is openable at both ends for in-situ-servicing. The use of telescopic cylinder results in fast and accurate operation of the press with mould begning to close at fast speed, low pressure. Slow mould closing at full pressure can be selected to develop desired pressure just before mould is fully closed. This not only provides safety to the mould, but also results in substantial power saving.