In case you’re not familiar, forging refers to the manufacturing process that involves the shaping of a piece of metal with the use of compressive forces. A power hammer or a die delivers the blows. Today, it has become a major worldwide industry and its traditional products include hardware, kitchenware, cymbals, edged weapons, hand tools, and jewelry.
What is Closed Die Forging?
Sometimes referred to as impression-die forging, this type of forging process uses dies that have the precut profile of the desired part. These dies move towards each other and partially or wholly covers the metal piece. The raw material that’s been heated is positioned in the bottom die. The shape of the forging as a negative image is incorporated in the top or bottom die. When the top die presses against the bottom die, the raw material forms into the desired shape. In case you’re wondering, this process can be used to produce parts from a few ounces to 60,000 lbs. You may also be surprised to find out that some of these smaller parts are forged cold.
What Are its Capabilities?
Closed Die Forging of steel, titanium, aluminum, and other alloys can create a virtually limitless variety of 3-dimensional shapes that weigh from a few ounces up to over 25 tons. While closed die forges that are routinely produced on hydraulic presses have capacities up to 50,000 tons, those that were produced on mechanical presses have capacities up to 20,000 tons. Lastly, those that were regularly produced via hammers have capacities up to 50,000 lbs. Since this type of forging process restricts metal flow due to the presence of the die contours, you won’t be surprised to know that Closed Die Forging can yield more complex shapes as well as closer tolerances compared to the open-die forging process. However, it’s important to note that if additional flexibility is required in forming symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes, pre-forming operations that involve bending will have to be implemented on the piece of metal before it is forged in finisher dies.
Closed Die Forging
Since Ferralloy is a trusted supplier of engineered products and services to a wide range of industries across the globe, we can give you straight answers about Closed Die Forging or anything that’s related to metal production. Contact us today!