The Minster Machine Company - Mechanical Stamping Presses, Servo Feeds, Mechanical Presses, Reels, Decoilers, High Speed Presses, Electric Feeds, Coil Lines

Minster Firsts | Historic Gallery | Products & Places

First Minster Sign
More than 160 U.S. Patents line the walls of The Minster Machine Company
signifying a century-long commitment to innovation.


1927	First use of straight side single crank press design, patented in 1934.
1930	First use of a separate multiple disc air friction clutch and separate multiple disc air friction brake on the same shaft.
1936	World’s first transfer-type mechanical press built.
1937	First press company to offer full box-type crown and press construction.
1937	Began use of patented Air Operated Friction Clutch and Brake Unit (AFC).
1938	First press company to offer box construction in large “C” frames and slides.
1938	Began incorporating barrel-type slide adjustment in press designs.
1940	First to offer recirculating oil lubrication on presses.
1946	First use of patented Combination Air Friction Clutch and Brake (CFC) mounted on crankshaft in either flywheel or main gear and having controlled torque.
1947	Began use of patented Minster rotor-type rotary limit switch.
1948	First press company to offer replaceable bronze-lined wear surfaces throughout a press.
1948	First P2 Piece-Maker press built for automatic progressive die applications.
1949	First use of clutch-in-gear application.
1951	First MS2 press built with clutch on intermediate shaft near the intermediate gear.
1954	First to offer motorized inclining of very large gap frame presses.
1955	First G1 Series presses are built.
1959	First E2 press built. First presses in the industry to work with large progressive dies, providing greater geared press speeds.
1960	First press company to offer special crown with front and back cabinets to enclose electrical and air systems.
1962	First tear-top can end press built.
1962	First can draw press built.
1965	First press company to offer a quick die change system -- The Die-Namic Process.
1969	First F2 (Fin-Maker) press built for stamping of heat transfer fins.
1970	MonitorFlow lubrication system is patented.
1970	The Stamping Center is first displayed -- the world’s first totally automated stamping production system.
1972	The first Hummingbird press is built capable of speeds up to 1,600 strokes-per-minute -- more than four times faster than the fastest press at that time.
1972	Developed and patented a line of ultra high speed cam feeds along with material handling system which included a reel, straightener, and patented “S” loop.
1973	Developed and patented rotary balancers to retrofit with P2 presses, which increased maximum running speed.
1974	Development of PM2 lamination press began. This included hydrostatic gibs for which patents were granted.
1977	First Piece-Maker II (PM2) built with reciprocating balancers.
1977	First programmable Logic Controller used in press controls.
1978	First line of rack and pinion feeds were developed and patented.
1978	First servo-driven electronic high speed feed.
1980	First electronic servo feed.
1981	First TR2 (Pulsar) built.
1982	First use of Minster/Orii robotic handling system for OBI presses.
1984	First piston-driven cupper press developed with flexdisc hydraulic clutch and auxiliary belt-driven flywheel.
1985	First material handling reel built.
1985	First die cart built.
1986	First color (CRT) operation interface fully automated press control.
1987	Developed and patented ECH-125 end conversion press which included piston drive, quick lift slide, micro-adjustable bolster and disc brake.
1988	Developed and built a granulator system for rubber tire recycling.
1988	First Minster/Tranemo hydraulic presses with robotic Flexarm built.
1990	Developed and patented a dynamic balanced double action shell and cupper press.
1991	First P2H press built with patented adjustable stroke mechanism.
1993	Developed PM3 press series with patented adjustable-in-motion (AIM) slide.
1996	Introduction of Production Management Control, fully integrating press, tool and coil line functions.
1997	Developed CRH underdrive opposed ram press for production of beverage cans made from laminated film material.
1999	Developed and pateneted vibration severity, load monitoring and die process technology.
1999	Developed first vari-slide infinitely adjustable slide motion mechanism..
2000	First TwinTec forming/assembly machine developed in cooperation with the Otto Bihler Company.
2000	Developed PMConnect software for production monitoring and system reporting.
2001	Intoduction of "new" Hummingbird Series of press, designed for high speed motor lamination production.
2001	First press manufacturer in the world to offer infinitely adjustable stroke feature.
2002	Developed PM4-600 press -- largest motor lamination press at the time.
2005	Developed E2B-1000 (HeviBlanker) press for high speed blanking of extremely high strength material.
2005	Developed eccentric link driven E4H large tonnage/big bed press line. World's first four-point press with quick lift feature.
2006	Developed HB-60 (Hummingbird) model.
2007	Developed E2H-1100.
2008	Developed World's first "Dual Energy Drive System" for mechanical presses.
2008	Developed EFAC clutch brake, first zero backlash air clutch designed for high reverse torque loads, utilizing two sets of flex discs.
2009	Developed high speed servo lamination notching press and system.