The Evolution of Forging and Casting in the Industrial Realm

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Jan 08, 2025

The Evolution of Forging and Casting in the Industrial Realm


Metalworking has been an integral part of human civilization for thousands of years, serving as the backbone of industrial progress and innovation. Among the various techniques employed in metalworking, forging and casting are two prominent methods that have stood the test of time. While both processes involve shaping metal into desired forms, they differ significantly in their approaches, outcomes, and areas of application.

In this blog, we will delve into the captivating world of forging and casting, exploring the distinctive characteristics and advantages each technique brings to the table. Whether you are a metalworking enthusiast, an engineer, or simply curious about the manufacturing industry, understanding the disparities between forging and casting is crucial for appreciating their unique contributions.


What is forging?

Forging, a technique that has been practiced since ancient times, involves the shaping of metal through localized compressive forces. By subjecting the metal to intense pressure, either through hand tools or specialized machinery, forging enhances the material’s structural integrity, resulting in superior strength and durability. It is commonly used to produce components for critical applications such as aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries, where reliability and performance are paramount.


Process of Forging

The process of forging is a metalworking technique that involves the shaping of metal by applying compressive forces. It is a hot or cold working process, depending on the temperature at which the metal is working. Here is a general overview of the forging process:

· Material Selection: The first step in forging is selecting the appropriate material for the desired application. Commonly forged materials include steel, aluminum, titanium, and various alloys known for their strength and durability.

· Heating: Forging often requires the metal to be heated to a specific temperature to make it more malleable. The temperature range depends on the material being forged and can vary from a few hundred degrees Celsius to over a thousand degrees Celsius.

· Billet Preparation: The metal is transformed into a suitable shape called a billet, typically by cutting or shearing it from a larger piece. The billet serves as the starting point for the forging process.

· Tooling and Dies: Forging techniques involve the use of specialized tooling and dies to shape the heated billet. These tools are typically made from strong and durable materials such as steel or tungsten carbide.

· Forming: The heated billet is placed on the anvil or a die, and compressive forces are applied to shape it. This can be done using various methods, including hammering, pressing, or rolling. The force applied must be sufficient to deform the metal and shape it according to the desired design.

· Heat Treatment: After the desired shape is achieved, the forged part may undergo heat treatment processes such as annealing, quenching, or tempering to enhance its mechanical properties. Heat treatment helps improve the strength, hardness, and structural integrity of the forged component.

· Finishing Operations: Once the forging process is complete, the forged part may undergo additional operations such as trimming, machining, grinding, or polishing to achieve the final desired shape and surface finish.

· Inspection and Testing: Quality control is an essential part of the forging process. The forged parts undergo inspection and testing to ensure they meet the required specifications and standards. Non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasonic testing or magnetic particle inspection may be employed to detect any potential defects or irregularities.

· Finalizing: After passing the inspection and testing phase, the forged components are ready for further processing, such as assembly, coating, or integration into larger systems, depending on their intended use.

Forging is known for its ability to produce parts with superior strength, toughness, and resistance to fatigue compared to other manufacturing processes. It is widely used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, construction, and power generation, where high-performance and reliable components are required.


What is Casting?

Casting is a process that dates back thousands of years and utilizes molds to create intricate metal objects. This method involves heating metal to its molten state and pouring it into a carefully crafted mold, allowing it to solidify and take the desired shape. Casting offers versatility and the ability to create complex geometries, making it ideal for producing components with intricate details, such as ornamental pieces, artistic sculptures, and large-scale industrial equipment.


Process of Casting

The process of casting is a metalworking technique that involves pouring molten metal into a mold to create a desired shape. It is a widely used method for producing intricate and complex metal parts. Here is a general overview of the casting process:

· Pattern Creation: The first step in casting is creating a pattern of the desired part. Patterns can be made from various materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. The pattern replicates the final shape of the desired casting and includes additional features like cores or gating systems.

· Mold Preparation: A mold is created by enclosing the pattern in a molding material. The molding material can be sand, plaster, ceramic, or other refractory materials. The mold is designed to accommodate the pattern and provide the necessary channels for the molten metal to flow in and any gases to escape.

· Molding: The molding material is packed around the pattern, ensuring that it captures all the intricate details. The mold is typically made in two halves, with the pattern being removed once the mold is complete. In some cases, multiple-part molds or expendable molds are used, depending on the complexity of the part and the casting requirements.

· Melting: The selected metal or alloy is melted in a furnace at temperatures above its melting point. The furnace can be electric, gas-fired, or induction-based, depending on the specific requirements. The molten metal is carefully controlled to achieve the desired temperature and composition.

· Pouring: Once the metal is molten and ready, the mold is prepared for pouring. The molten metal is poured into the mold through a gating system, which includes channels and runners that allow the metal to flow evenly and avoid any trapped air or gas pockets.

· Solidification: After the metal is poured into the mold, it starts to cool and solidify. The cooling time depends on the metal being cast and the complexity of the part. During solidification, the metal takes the shape of the mold, capturing all the details of the pattern.

· Shakeout and Cleaning: Once the casting has solidified and cooled sufficiently, the mold is broken or shaken off to remove the casting from the mold cavity. The casting is then cleaned by removing any remaining molding material, known as the casting’s “flash.” Various methods like grinding shot blasting, or chemical cleaning may be used to achieve the desired surface finish.

· Finishing Operations: After the casting is cleaned, it may undergo additional operations such as machining, grinding, polishing, or heat treatment to achieve the final desired shape, dimensions, and mechanical properties. These operations help remove any remaining imperfections and ensure the casting meets the required specifications.

· Inspection and Testing: Quality control is an essential part of the casting process. The castings undergo inspection and testing to ensure they meet the required standards. Non-destructive testing methods such as X-ray, ultrasonic testing, or dye penetrant inspection may be employed to detect any potential defects or irregularities.

· Finalizing: After passing the inspection and testing phase, the castings are ready for further processing, assembly, or integration into larger systems, depending on their intended use.

Casting offers versatility and the ability to produce complex shapes and intricate details. It is commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and art, where intricate and customized components are required.


Advantages of Forging

Forging offers several advantages over other metalworking processes, making it a preferred choice in many industries. Here are some key advantages of forging:

· Increased Strength and Structural Integrity: Forging produces parts with superior strength and structural integrity compared to other manufacturing processes. The controlled application of compressive forces during forging refines the grain structure of the metal, aligns the grain flow, and eliminates internal voids and porosity. This results in improved mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength, impact resistance, and fatigue life.

· Enhanced Material Properties: The plastic deformation that occurs during forging realigns the metal’s internal structure, which improves its resistance to deformation and increases its toughness. Additionally, the heat treatment processes often employed after forging further enhance the material properties, allowing for customized strength, hardness, and ductility characteristics.

· Cost-Effective for High-Quality Parts: While forging may require higher upfront costs compared to other manufacturing methods, it offers long-term cost benefits. The superior strength and durability of forged parts reduce the need for frequent replacements, resulting in lower maintenance and downtime costs. The extended service life and reliability of forged components often outweigh the initial investment.

· Reduction in Material Waste: Forging is known for its material efficiency. The process involves shaping the metal in a way that minimizes waste generation. Unlike other methods like machining, where excess material is cut away, forging utilizes the starting material more efficiently, resulting in less scrap and material wastage.

· Wide Range of Material Compatibility: Forging can be performed on a wide range of materials, including various grades of steel, aluminum, titanium, and their alloys. This versatility allows to produce forged components suitable for diverse applications across industries such as automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and heavy machinery.

· Flexibility in Design and Geometry: Forging offers flexibility in producing complex shapes and intricate geometries. The use of dies and tooling allows for precise control over the shaping process, enabling the creation of parts with intricate details, undercuts, and internal features. This makes forging suitable for components that require high precision and specific design requirements.

· Improved Grain Structure: The grain structure of forged parts is often more uniform and refined compared to other manufacturing processes. The controlled plastic deformation during forging breaks down larger grains into smaller ones, resulting in a more uniform distribution of grain boundaries. This finer-grain structure enhances mechanical properties and provides better resistance against crack propagation and corrosion.

· Suitable for High-Temperature Applications: Forging is well-suited for applications that involve high temperatures or extreme environments. The superior strength and thermal stability of forged parts make them ideal for industries such as aerospace, power generation, and oil and gas, where components are subjected to elevated temperatures, pressure, or mechanical stresses.

· Environmental Benefits: Compared to some other metalworking processes, forging is considered more environmentally friendly. The material efficiency, reduced scrap generation, and the ability to recycle and reuse forged components contribute to a lower carbon footprint and resource conservation.

Overall, forging offers numerous advantages, including increased strength, enhanced material properties, cost-effectiveness, reduced waste, design flexibility, and compatibility with a wide range of materials. These advantages make forging an attractive choice for industries that prioritize high-quality, durable, and reliable components.


Advantages of Casting

Casting is a versatile metalworking process that offers several advantages, making it a popular choice in various industries. Here are some key advantages of casting:

· Design Flexibility: Casting allows the production of complex shapes and intricate geometries that may be challenging or even impossible to achieve with other manufacturing processes. The mold used in casting can be customized to create parts with varying wall thicknesses, undercuts, and internal features. This flexibility in design enables the production of highly detailed and customized components.

· Wide Range of Material Options: Casting can be performed using a wide variety of materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, alloys, and even non-metallic materials such as plastics and ceramics. This versatility allows to produce components with different mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and electrical conductivity, among other characteristics. It provides engineers and designers with the freedom to select the most suitable material for the desired application.

· Cost-Effectiveness for Complex Parts: The casting technique is often a cost-effective option for producing complex parts with intricate details. The upfront tooling costs can be relatively low compared to other processes like machining or forging. Once the mold is created, casting allows producing of multiple identical parts, reducing the per-unit cost. Additionally, casting minimizes material waste as excess material can be reused for future castings.

· Large-scale Production Capability: Casting is particularly suitable for large-scale production runs. Once the mold is created, multiple castings can be produced quickly and efficiently. This scalability makes casting an ideal choice for industries that require high volumes of components, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction.

· Surface Finish and Detail Reproduction: Casting can deliver excellent surface finishes and accurately reproduce intricate details of the pattern. The use of fine molding materials, precise mold preparation techniques, and post-casting finishing operations allow for the production of smooth, high-quality surfaces. This makes casting suitable for applications where aesthetics and surface quality are important, such as art, jewelry, and decorative components.

· Material Properties and Performance: Casting can achieve a range of desired material properties by selecting the appropriate material and employing various post-casting treatments. Heat treatment processes like annealing, quenching, or tempering can be applied to enhance mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, and ductility. This customization of material properties allows for the production of components tailored to specific application requirements.

· Replication and Consistency: Casting enables the production of identical parts with consistent dimensions and properties. Once the mold is created and the casting process is established, each subsequent casting will replicate the original pattern, ensuring consistent quality and dimensional accuracy across a production run.

· Versatility in Component Size and Shape: Casting is not limited by component size or shape. It can be used to produce small, intricate components as well as large, heavy-duty parts. Whether it’s tiny jewelry pieces or massive industrial equipment, casting can accommodate a wide range of component sizes and shapes.

Casting offers design flexibility, a wide range of material options, cost-effectiveness for complex parts, large-scale production capability, excellent surface finish, and versatility in component size and shape. These advantages make casting a preferred choice in industries that require intricate, customized, and mass-produced components.


The Differences: Forging vs. Casting

Characteristics

Forging

Casting

Process

Shaping metal through localized compressive forces

Pouring molten metal into a mold

Temperature

Hot or cold working

Molten metal at high temperatures

Strength

Superior strength and structural integrity

Lower strength compared to forging

Complexity

Limited complexity, suitable for simpler shapes

Highly complex shapes and intricate details can be achieved

Material Waste

Minimal material wastage, efficient material utilization

Higher material wastage due to trimming and gating system

Surface Finish

The surface finish may require additional machining or grinding

A good surface finish can be achieved directly from the mold

Design Flexibility

Limited design flexibility compared to casting

Offers greater design flexibility and intricate shapes

Production Speed

Faster production speed

Slower production speed compared to forging

Cost

Higher upfront costs, but cost-effective for high-quality parts

Lower upfront costs, cost-effective for complex shapes and larger production runs

Applications

Critical applications requiring high strength and durability, such as aerospace and automotive

Versatile applications, including art, construction, and general industry

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between forging and casting depends on the specific requirements of the project, considering factors such as strength, design complexity, production volume, and cost. Both processes offer unique advantages and have their respective applications in various industries. When it comes to metalworking solutions, QFCM stands out as a reliable partner. With their expertise in both forging and casting, they provide innovative solutions and high-quality components tailored to the needs of their clients. Whether it’s producing critical aerospace parts with superior strength and durability through forging or creating intricate components with design flexibility using casting, QFCM ensures the successful execution of metalworking projects. Their commitment to delivering top-notch solutions makes them a valuable resource for industries seeking efficient and reliable metalworking processes.

 

Open-Die Forging vs. Closed-Die Forging

Differences Between Open-Die and Closed-Die Forging


Open-Die Forging

Open die forging is the art of shaping metal by hammering or pressing it between flat or simple contour dies, while manipulating the hot work-piece between each stroke of the equipment.  Since the metal tends to flow equally in all directions away from the high point of pressure, and is not physically confined by a cavity in a die, the process is termed to be “open die forging” as opposed to “closed” or “impression die” forging.

While open die forging generally applies to large, bulky forgings, the process can also be used for very small forgings as well. However, we do not recommended for a volume of forgings to be made with the open-die process. Instead, we specialize in closed-die forging.


Closed-Die Forging

In a closed-die (also called impression-die) process, the dies allow for excess material to be used and the material is forced to certain areas between the dies.  This excess material is called flash. The flash that is extruded between the dies can be costly and, therefore, needs to be minimized. However, flash has a vital use in that without this relief area, the pressure in the cavity could become too high. This could result in the reduction of die life or even the catastrophic failure of the die for forge machine component.  Our die design engineers control the flash area design in such a way as to aid and enhance the flow of the metal. This metal then fills the die impression to maximizing die strength and lifetime.

In production, the trimming of the flash from the forging is just as important as other forging operations. The trimming operation can be used to provide the final “sizing” of the finished forging.  Improper trimming can cause defect and/or distortion which cannot be repaired. So working with a reputable forging partner will help save money and reduce waste.


Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros of Open-Die Forging
– Less tooling cost
– Reduced lead time


Cons of Open-Die Forging

– Not suitable for precision parts
– Machining can often be required for desired features


Pros of Closed-Die Forging

– Stronger part
– Less machining required
– More cost effective for higher volume runs
– Able to achieve tighter tolerances and shapes


Cons of Closed-Die Forging

– Higher cost of die production
– Higher setup costs due to machine and furnaces

Looking to learn more about our forging services? Feel free to reach out and request a quote. We look forward to learning more about your project.

 


Forging is the oldest metalworking process in the world. You might say it’s ancient, but with today’s modern technology, and new processes, forging offers new benefits. Like strength and durability. There’s more than meets the eye though. When it comes to safety, and reliability, especially for products used under stress and at pressure points in machinery, you want a forged product that meets the highest standards.

This article discusses two types of forging processes: open die forging (the more conventional process) and closed die forging, including non-conventional closed die processes like “rotary forging” that offer greater dimensional accuracy, better surface finish quality, strength, and grain flow. Keep reading to discover:

The difference between open, closed die, and rotary forging

The benefits of each, explaining the surge in demand for rotary forging, especially for components with large and complex geometries.

Which applications are best for each

How the processes determine different qualities in a product

Factors to look for when choosing a forging process and company to work with


Let’s dive in…

Table of Contents

What Is Open Die Forging

Open die forging process

What is aspect ratio in open die forging

What is barreling in open die forging

Open die forging applications and types

  • Cylindrical Shape Forgings

  • Upset or pancake forgings

  • Hollow forgings

  • Contour-type forgings

Closed die forging 

Closed die forging applications

What is the difference between closed die forging & open die forging

Rotary Forging – A Unique Die Method

Rotary Forging Applications

Rotary Forging Company


What Is Open Die Forging

A method of forging, open die forging is probably what most think of when they bring to mind a traditional blacksmith; you’ve got heated metal being hammered on top of an anvil to shape it into something brand new. This is also called free forging, or smith forging. A variation on openly hammering and shaping metal, is to put the metal between two dies where the metal is compressed, or repeatedly “hammered” under great pressure. The two dies compress the heated metal billet and shape it. 

It’s the dies that separate open die forging from closed die forging. With “open” dies, the part of the die that compresses the metal is typically flat, or slightly contoured so that the metal is compressed between the two surfaces. Other variations of open die forging, the dies can be curved, or even V-shaped, but the metal is never fully encased within the dies.


Open die forging process


It’s a straightforward process:

1. You take a metal billet, or starting stock, measured by weight, heated to extreme temperatures (1900-2300 degrees Fahrenheit).

2. Lay it in between the dies in the direction of the grain in order to maintain structural integrity throughout the open die process.

3. A “fuller” tool divides the metal piece into sections, marking which section to work on at a time.

4. The dies compress the metal, or “hammer” it into shape as the metal adapts to the pressure.

The main advantage of open die forging is that at a structural level the grain flow of the metal is actually strengthened, refined, and contoured as it is exposed to repeated pressure. This reduces porosity and improves the strength, durability, and fatigue resistance of the final product.


 

Additionally, open forged dies allow for varied customization, though generally in still fairly simple shapes. It also provides a quick lead time, with little to no extra tooling costs, and because it uses material more efficiently than machining or cutting metal, open die forging reduces material costs.


What is aspect ratio in open die forging

In its simplest form, an aspect ratio describes the width of an image in relation to its height. In open die forging, aspect ratio is important to the final product because it will determine the amount of pressure, and the shape of the die needed in order to realize the final shape. 

It’s actually a key measurement taken for each pass of the “hammer” to understand how the metal is changing shape, or deforming. The dies’ shape is another key factor in how well open die forging is executed.

In other words, a metal billet that starts out with a height to width ratio where there is a lot of height that needs to be reduced in order to reach the final shape will need a different process (or at least longer process) than a billet with a smaller aspect ratio.


What is barreling in open die forging

Barreling is when the metal billet starts to form a barrel shape as it’s being compressed in an open die forging process. It’s caused primarily by frictional forces at the surface of the die that prevent the surface of the metal piece from expanding, even though the center of the metal piece expands. This creates a “barrel” shape where the metal piece curves inward at the top and at the bottom of the shape. In this case, lubrication would reduce the friction at the surface of the die and allow the metal piece to expand evenly throughout.

Another reason for barreling is that at the surface of the die, the metal piece can cool more rapidly than in its center. Again, this causes the top and bottom of the metal piece to expand at a different rate than the center. Heating the dies in this case would reduce the barreling effect. 


Open die forging applications and types

Open die forging is used for both large high strength metal pieces, and smaller items where strength is required. The process provides extra durability and strength and is very efficient for applications where human well-being and safety is involved. For example, the AerospaceMilitaryAlternative energyAutomotive industries often rely on open die forging.

While there are many types of open die forging applications and types, the open die forging process is best for products lacking complexity that fall into four shape categories:

1. Cylindrical Shapes 

2. Upset or “Pancake” Shapes

3. Hollow Forgings

4. And Contour-type forging.

Products in those categories could include things like discs, rings, sleeves, cylinders and shafts, step shafts, bars, beams, spindles, hubs, mandrels, metal shells, simple pancake forgings, pierced blanks and more. 

This forging process can also be used for large products, even up to 80 feet long and over 100 tons. 


Cylindrical Shape Forgings

Cylindrical shape forgings are used in a variety of industries that need extremely strong and durable products. For example, the aerospace industry uses open die forging for things like rotor/propeller parts, landing gear components, flat bars, etc.

The Automotive and the Military industries also use forged parts. Their strength, reliability and economy make them an obvious choice for vital automotive and truck applications as the uses are generally required for points of shock and stress. Some of these applications include wheel spindles, kingpins, axle beams and shafts, torsion bars, ball studs, idler arms, pitman arms and steering arms, connecting rods, as well as transmission shafts and gears. 


Upset or pancake forgings

“Pancake” forgings are disc-like, similar to a pancake. These applications include things like discs, hubs, hubs, flats, hexes, rounds, and plates. These products are used reliably in the industrial, aerospace, military industries to bring safety to commercial jets, helicopters, piston-engine planes, military aircraft and spacecraft.

Upset forging involves locally heating a metal bar and then applying pressure to one end of the bar. The result is a long item with a forged ending. Upset forging produces elongated parts such as shafts, screws, piston rods and others for the automotive industry, public works, aerospace and other industries.


Hollow forgings

Hollow forging using the open die process produces products such as large hollow tubes. They can be straight, hollow cylinders, or tapered hollow shapes as well. With open die forging, you can also customize the width of the walls. 

As the tube is forged, rather than having a hole bored out, it holds up better for stressful applications. This same process can be used for tubes, rings, seamless rolled rings (bearings), shafts, and more. Again, due to the strength gained through open die forging industries such as Aerospace, Military, Alternative Energy, Automotive and more use these parts to support their applications.


Contour-type forgings

Contour-type forgings are great for ring rolling applications where some contour to the dies are needed.

Due to being strong, and cost-effective, rolled rings are used for many applications, from jet engines, jet turbines, windmills, paper mills, helicopter gearboxes, and machinery exposed to stressful environments.


Closed die forging 

Also called impression forging, closed die forging is very similar to open die forging, except that the dies are custom made in specific shapes and the metal is encased within the dies. 


 

Open die forging uses dies that leave the metal open, but closed die forging encases the metal, allowing for more precise forged shapes:

1. Prepare your pre-form or metal billet.

2. Heat the metal and exert pressure by “stamping” or “hammering”, similar to the open die process.

3. The metal will fill the space inside the dies. What little metal comes out between is called the “flash” and only helps to put more pressure to create the shape. 

4. Remove the flash and prepare the new shape for its end use.


Closed die forging applications

Closed-die forging is one of the most commonly used methods for forging steel parts. Like open die forging, it is also strong and durable, having worked the metal’s internal grain structure. Well suited to produce parts that are smaller in size and in large quantities, closed die forging is great for parts that do not have complex mechanical properties. 


 

Examples of closed die forged applications for the automotive industry include connecting rods, Control arms, Axle beams, Axle shafts and more. For the industrial sector, expect to see gears, shafts, hammer union nuts, spike harrow teeth, tie rod ends, shackles, hooks, and more. Of course there are endless applications for the military and aerospace, alternative energy industries as well. 


What is the difference between closed die forging & open die forging

To summarize, open die forging differs in its process from closed die forging (impression forging) by the shape of the dies used. Typically, open dies are flat, possibly concave or v shaped, but always open. Closed die forging on the other hand uses dies that completely encase the metal, allowing it to fill up the space between the dies. 

While both processes are similar and produce strong products as the grain flow is worked and follows the shape of the metal, open die forging is typically reserved for short or long production runs, simple shapes in general, and in varying size (from small shapes to large 80 foot, 100+ ton beams and tubes). Closed die forging uses customized dies and therefore is more suited to producing more specifically shaped products for longer runs. 


Rotary Forging – A Unique Die Method

Modern manufacturing requirements demand short lead times and cost effective flexible production. While the concept of open die and even closed die forging has been used since the first metalworking attempts, there is a new method that’s gained popularity in the last few decades that enables manufacturers to meet those requirements. Due to its non-conventional but ingenious method, rotary forging is a closed die forging process that angles a contoured or conical die to apply pressure and deform the metal from pre-form to a finished product with more accuracy, less time, and increased cost efficiency.


 

While the conventional open die process uses two stationary, parallel, flat dies, rotary forging employs a combo of rotation, rolling and axial compression with dies that are neither parallel nor flat. This translates into compression in a more concentrated area while delivering superior structural integrity and grain flow in the metal.

More specifically, rotary forging offers greater dimensional accuracy, better surface finish quality and material hardening, and optimized grain structure. 

Another major reason for consideration is that the concentrated compression enables manufacturers to form net- or near-net-shape components (whereas with conventional forging, you’d likely pay high prices only to machine up to 95% of it away as waste).


Rotary Forging Applications

It’s no surprise that approximately one-quarter to one-third of all parts that are either hammer or press forged could be formed on a rotary forge. The benefits have attracted attention from the automotive, aerospace, and alternative energy industries. 

Rotary forging is particularly good for those who require components with large and complex geometries. The process produces products that require ring rolling, spinning/flow forming, swaging and cross-wedge rolling, or more complex shaping. In fact, it’s often for parts that would otherwise have to be completely machined because of their shape or dimensions.


 

Particularly effective in forging parts with high diameter-to-thickness ratios, rotary forging is ideally suited to this process because of its ability to concentrate its compression. Applications of rotary forging include gears, flanges, hubs, cams, rings, and tapered rollers, as well as thin disks and flat shapes. Changing the type of motion of the die, allows for other applications including T-flanges, thin disks and large flanges.

Rotary forging is also used to produce intricate features on workpiece surfaces. Parts such as gears, hubs, and hexagonal shapes have traditionally been difficult to produce by conventional forging because die-workpiece friction made it difficult to fill tight spots properly on the dies.


Rotary Forging Company

Picking a rotary forging company to work with can be tricky because of the many options that exist. A few things you’ll want to consider is the company’s experience, ability to work with you to achieve your goals on your timetable, and when it comes to forging, how the process reflects the final quality. Even in open die forging, there are different approaches. 

For example, with Advanced Structural Technologies (AST), we’re ideally suited for rotary forging and known for our superior grain flow. Our process forges in a contoured die, vs flat parts without contour. This allows for uniquely strong and reliable products.

As for experience, with over 20 years refining our metal forming processes, we’ve gratefully become a world leader in providing forged products for the space/aerospace, military, and alternative energy industries, as well as a well known provider of forged wheels for the automotive aftermarket.

Known for our expertise in forging complex, single-piece shapes, AST products are used by world-renowned companies for their various applications.

Our experience and our process allow us to innovate and maintain the top quality and excellence that our customers have come to know.

If you’re currently in need of metal working, let’s talk about your options. It’s worth taking the time to discover what advantage you’ll have with QFCM Forge and how we can help you meet your goals.

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