Spotting presses, also called die spotting presses or mold tryout presses, are hydraulic presses used to bring the upper and lower halves of a die or mold together under controlled pressure. Instead of running the tool in a production press right away, the spotting press allows operators to slowly close the tool, check the contact surfaces, open it back up, and make adjustments where needed.
That process is extremely important because small tooling issues can create big production problems. Poor contact between die halves can cause flash, part defects, premature wear, misalignment, poor shutoff, and inconsistent part quality. In stamping, molding, die casting, and tooling repair, spotting helps confirm that the tool is ready before it is placed into production.
A spotting press also helps protect the production process itself. Without one, a shop may have to use a production press as a test station. That ties up valuable press time, slows down production, and increases the risk of damaging both the tool and the machine. By keeping die tryout, mold fitting, and tool repair work in the toolroom, a spotting press helps reduce bottlenecks and keeps production equipment focused on making parts.
Spotting presses are also valuable for safety and ergonomics. Many machines are equipped with features such as roll-out bolsters, flip-out or swing-down rams, rotating platens, shuttle tables, light curtains, and controlled hydraulic motion. These features allow operators to access both halves of the tool more easily and safely than they could with cranes, forklifts, or repeated manual handling.
For die and mold shops, a spotting press is not just another press. It is a quality-control machine, a repair station, a tryout tool, and a production support asset all in one. It helps confirm tool accuracy, reduce rework, shorten tryout time, and extend the life of expensive dies and molds.
Spotting Presses Available from Universal Press
Universal Press & Machinery currently has eight hydraulic spotting presses available, ranging from 40 Ton up to 224 Ton. These machines give die shops, mold shops, and toolrooms options for both smaller tryout work and larger die or mold spotting applications.
40 Ton
Stock #: 11738 — Used 40 Ton Reis TUS-90 Hydraulic Spotting Press with Rolling Bolster
A smaller spotting press option for toolroom work, die fitting, mold tryout, and controlled inspection applications.
50 Ton
Stock #: 11522 — Used 50 Ton Reis Mold Spotting and Try-Out Press
A practical machine for mold spotting, tryout work, and checking tool contact before production.
90 Ton
Stock #: 11363 — Used 90 Ton Reis Hydraulic 4 Post Spotting Press
A 4-post Reis spotting press designed to provide stable, controlled pressure for die and mold spotting work.
100 Ton
Stock #: 11704 — Used 100 Ton Hydraulic Die Spotting Press
This hydraulic die spotting press is suited for die tryout, spotting, inspection, and repair work where controlled opening and closing of the tool is needed.
100 Ton
Stock #: 11849 — Used 100 Ton Sanki Hydraulic Spotting Press
A Sanki hydraulic spotting press that offers strong capacity for mold and die spotting applications, helping shops verify fit, contact, and shutoff before production.
112 Ton
Stock #: 11609 — Used 112 Ton Reis Hydraulic Die Spotting Press
A Reis die spotting press built for larger tooling applications, giving operators the ability to inspect, fit, and adjust dies or molds in a controlled environment.
112 Ton
Stock #: 10624 — Used 112 Ton Amino Hydraulic Down Acting Spotting Press
A large Amino down-acting spotting press for heavier mold and die spotting work, offering the working area and capacity needed for larger tooling.
224 Ton
Stock #: 11804 — Used 224 Ton Reis Hydraulic 4 Post Spotting Press
The largest spotting press currently listed, this Reis 4-post machine is built for heavy die and mold work where higher tonnage, large table size, and controlled access are important.