Forging is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized compressive forces. The blows are
delivered with a hammer (often a power hammer) or a die. Forging is often classified according to the temperature at
which it is performed: cold forging (a type of cold working), warm forging, or hot forging (a type of hot working).
For the latter two, the metal is heated, usually in a forge. Forged parts can range in weight from less than a
kilogram to hundreds of metric tons. Forging has been done by smiths for millennia; the traditional products were
kitchenware, hardware, hand tools, edged weapons, cymbals, and jewellery.
Since the Industrial Revolution, forged parts are widely used in mechanisms and machines wherever a component
requires high strength; such forgings usually require further processing (such as machining) to achieve a finished
part. Today, forging is a major worldwide industry.
Forging Manufacturing Process Step Explanation
1. Tool Development
2. Bar Cutting
3. Bar Machining
4. Bar Heating
5. Forging
6. Trimming
7. Grinding
8. Fettling
9. Heat Treatment
10. Proof Machining
11. Machining
12. Shipment
Tool Development – The first step involves designing and building a metal die from special
grades of steel. The die can be made as a simple one cavity tool or a complex multi-cavity tool depending on
component geometry and volume requirements.
Bar Cutting – Raw Material billet, ingot or bar will be cut as per the calculation based on
the part geometry where proper chopping process is required to match exact near & net shape of the expected
component as per print where it will cut in proper length & weight based fundamentals.
Bar Machining – The desired length & weight cut piece of bar or billet is required machining
like diameter or outer profile or chamfering process where the high quality level parts without any hairline
impression can be manufacture so at that time the process is helpful.
Bar Heating – The cut piece is ready for next process like bar or billet heating where the cut
piece will be in red hot condition with desired temperature where it can be easily take almost net & near shape
of the part without any non-fill area or defects so the process of bar heating is most important factor.
Forging – This process is done through the so-called “flash.” Heat-treated steel bars or
billet that have been placed under lower and upper dies and then pressed into the desired shape after being
heated from billets with proper desired strokes onto the heated cut piece where the part will take net shape of
the component.
Trimming – Now that forging blanks with flash have been acquired, the flash will be removed by
pressing the steel blanks once more while being placed under trimming dies. A complete forging blank is finished
in this step where there will be parting line impression from the trimming area in component.
Grinding – Forged component after trimming process where the parting line impression will come
so grinding operation will be perform to make a smooth finish of parting line of other required area in the
component where aesthetic look can be improve.
Fettling – Parts will be done final finishing with pneumatic tools on parting line system or
other area with near and net shape matching of the exact forge part then it will be done shot blasting or
ceramic blasting as per the material specification or process selection of fettling stage.
Heat Treatment – The purpose of heat treatment is to change a mechanical property or
combination of mechanical properties so that the metal will be more useful, serviceable, and safe for a definite
purpose. By heat treating, a metal can be made harder, stronger, and more resistant to impact, heat treatment
can also make a metal softer and more ductile.
Proof Machining – In some case the components will be supply with proof machining or semi
finished condition where the maximum over all machining operations like CNC orVMC or HMC or VTL or SPM so the
final machining with proper exact location or proof machining or semi finished areas can be helpful for getting
higher level dimensional tolerance accuracy.
Machining – Various machining techniques are then employed including CNC or VMC or HMC or VTL
or SPM to achieve the final surface finish & dimensions needed to more important with function, fitment &
application area point of view then after with all quality checks & approval before despatch.
Shipment – Parts will be done with standard or customised packaging system to make a shipment
on desired location by customer, From the beginning level incoterms has been already set for the goods despatch
and clearance of the shipment with particular system & process.
Forging Applications or Business Areas
Forging can be used in various industry to make an optimum level solutions where the typical
applications or business areas you can check with the click on this link https://www.gravitycastindia.com/products
Forging Advantages
High part soundness
Reliability
Repeatability
Structural integrity
Cost effective than casting
High ductility
Mass production feasibility
Forging Disadvantages
Tool cost quite expensive
Post machining operations
Difficult to maintain close tolerance
Why buy Forging ?
Material Saving
Excellent Part Soundness
Compresive Microstructure
Excellent Mechanical Properties
Reduced Machining
Reduced Rejection Rates
Good Aesthetic Look
High Production Efficiencies
What is Tooling Development lead-time for Forging Process ?
Tooling, Jig-Fixture and Gauges Development.
Simple Components - 2 to 4 weeks.
Average Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Critical Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
What is Sample Development lead-time for Forging Process ?
As-Raw Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 2 to 3 weeks.
Average Components - 3 to 4 weeks.
Critical Components - 4 to 5 weeks.
Machined Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 4 to 5 weeks.
Average Components - 5 to 6 weeks.
Critical Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Assembled Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Average Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
Critical Components - 10 to 12 weeks.
What is Bulk Production lead-time for Forging Process ?
As-Raw Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.
Simple Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Average Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Critical Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
Machined Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.
Simple Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Average Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
Critical Components - 10 to 12 weeks.
Assembled Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.