Have you ever noticed how many little parts went into making your car? Most of those parts, like the aluminum forgings, were created using a process which can take a few different forms. Here are some of the different types of forging processes that are used to make those parts and many other items that are used in today’s world.
Die Forging
This is when metal is pressed into a mold. In some cases, two molds are used and the pieces are pressed together to make one. Die forging is used to make a wide range of objects, from tiny parts up to objects that weigh several tons. This process is usually completed using a hydraulic press. The metals typically used in die forging are titanium, aluminum and steel.
Cold Forging
The typical process for forging metal requires heat; however, there are some cases in which the metal is soft enough to be shaped without using heat. This is called cold forging. Metals used for this process can be various alloys, bronze or stainless steel. Products of cold forging often can be seen in the brake system, steering or suspension of our cars.
Seamless Rolled Ring Forging
This type of forging can be used to make cylinders, washers or other flat rings. To begin, a hole is punched through the middle of a round piece of metal. The pieces can then be pounded down into flat washers that come in a wide range of sizes, up to 30 feet wide. The types of metal used for this type of forging include carbon and alloy metals.
The wide range of items that can be produced using the forging process is impressive. Forging gives us small objects as well as very large ones. It also gives us many of the parts used in our cars, trucks and other forms of transportation.