Holddown is a desired die cushion feature for both mechanical and hydraulic presses. In hydraulic presses, it prevents from backdriving the ram. Without the holddown, die cushion follows the ram during the return part of the stroke and can basically push the ram up. Holddown delays the return of the die cushion until ram is out of the way. In case of mechanical presses, such function can be particularly useful in drawing operations where additional time is needed to remove the work piece or on long draws where a rapid return might distort the part.