A pneumatic force-generating device, for example, a
pneumatic cylinder for balancing the ram weight on a press, is provided with an
impact or catching device having an
impact plate (24) for catching the
piston (18) upon
discharge of the weight. The deformable
impact plate (24) is securely clamped along its edge or held by a clamping device (31), that permits a controlled slipping through. The impacting
piston (18) deforms the impact plate (24) to absorb the
kinetic energy produced if this
piston is released as a result of damage and is accelerated by the existing gas
bolster and thrown against the impact plate (24).