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What is Forging?
Forging is a manufacturing process that shapes metal using pressure and forces. The forces are exerted using a hammer or a die. Frequently the process is thought of in its most basic terms- a smithy in a medieval movie pounding heated steel on an anvil to form a horseshoe, sword, shield or armor. Modern forged parts are used in machines and mechanisms when a component requires strength.
Forging can produce a part that is stronger than the cast or machined part. This is due to the steel or iron being shaped during the forging process which alters the internal grain structure. Steel and Iron are almost always hot forged because this process prevents work hardening. This allows for additional processes or secondary operations to the forged part. The part can then be heat treated to the desired hardness.
Alternatively, a part can be cold forged to give it additional strength during the process. This is particularly effective if the part is complete after the forging process.
What is Forging?
There are several types of processes that fall in the forging category:
Press Forging
Press forging is a process that shapes a piece of metal by gradually applying pressure to a formed die that holds the metal. Closed-die press forging involves entirely enclosing the metal in a die and applying pressure to the die.
Upset Forging
Upset forging is a manufacturing method that uses extreme pressure to plastically distort metal into high-strength components of varied sizes. This method of forging is appropriate for longer designs that require only one end to be forged.
Roll Forging
Roll forging, alternatively referred to as roll forming, is a forging process that utilizes opposed rolls to shape a metal object. Even while roll forging utilizes rolls to create parts and components, it is still classified as a metal forging process, not a rolling process.
Drop Forging
Metal-shaping and strength-increasing process. In most forgings, an upper die is pressed against a heated workpiece held by a stationary bottom die. Drop forging is the process of dropping the top die or hammer.
Induction Forging
Induction heating is a non-contact technology that generates heat in a workpiece by using the principle of electromagnetic induction. Electric current is produced to flow in a conductive substance by placing it in a high alternating magnetic field, creating Joule heating.
Due to hysteresis losses, more heat is created below the Curie point in magnetic materials. The generated current is primarily in the surface layer, with the depth of this layer determined by the frequency of the alternating field and the material’s permeability.
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