To power a platen press manually by pumping a heavy cast-iron foot pedal. This action drives the large flywheel, which in turn opens and closes the platen and moves the ink rollers over the form.
Heard on the job
I had to kick the press for three hours straight to finish that run of business cards when the motor died.
Related terms
Same word, different worlds
Adhesives
To gel or cure suddenly, as in a resin kicking in the cup or a CA kicking with accelerator.
ElectrotechnologyShop verb for a breaker, overload or relay tripping, as in the breaker kicked.
Photonics & LasersTo start a Kerr-lens mode-locked laser by briefly disturbing the cavity so a pulse can form.
Concrete & CementTo start setting, usually sooner than the crew expected; a load that kicks stiffens fast.
RailroadingTo shove a cut of cars, uncouple it on the move and let it roll free onto a track.