METHOD FOR MONITORING AND FOR CHANGING THE POSITION OF AT LEAST ONE RUNNING BAR OF A METAL PRESS, AND METAL PRESS

A method for monitoring and changing the position of at least one component, more particularly a running bar, slidingly guided within a press frame between abutments of the press frame is disclosed. A central alignment of the component within the press frame is continuously measured and the alignment of the component within the press frame is corrected as a function of the acquired measurement result by preferably automatically adjustable guide elements of the sliding guides of the press. The central alignment of the slidingly guided component within the press frame is measured by the sensing of the location of at least one, preferably two, reference points of the slidingly guided component preferably in a plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis of the press. A press having automatically adjustable guide elements and means for controlling the guide elements as a function of the measured position of the component.