PURPOSE: To make the sequential starting and stopping of press machines possible by starting the press machines with a switch which starts the respective machines including the press machines before each simultaneously then stopping the machines simultaneously sequentially at the respective number of stops upon detection of the final sheet to be worked.

CONSTITUTION: When a selector switch 1 and a start button 2 are turned on in the case of sequential stopping, a sensor detects the final sheet of a lot unit, and a counter 3 starts counting the number of strokes of the 1st stage press. When the count attains the set value of the 1st press, only the 1st press stops. By the subsequent counting of the counter 3, the 2nd and subsequent stage presses stop sequentially in the similar manner. When preparation completion and start buttons 4, 6 are turned on in the case of sequential starting, only the 1st press starts and the counter 7 thereof starts counting the number of strokes. When the count attains the set value indicating the arrival of the sheet just prior to the 2nd stage press by the conveyor conveying the sheet in synchronization with said press, the 1st press stops. Similarly, start buttons 8, 9 are turned on to start the 1st, 2nd process presses simultaneously, after which the simultaneous stopping and sequential starting are accomplished in the similar way.