Forging is used for the shaping of various metallic items. It has emerged as one of the essential components of the metal-based production of different tools, metal casting products, and engineering goods.
Forging refers to a technical and engineering process in metallic production through the exertion of blows by using hammers. It helps in giving a new shape to metallic objects for their specific use. Often pressing and rolling is also done for this purpose.
Top Five Types of Forging for Industrial Use
- Cold Forging
- Hot Forging
- Drop Forging
- Open-Die Forging
- Press Forging
How to Prevent Accidents and Mishaps during Forging?
Being a highly technical process, it involves some elements of risks. Of course, the safest way would be having a full metal process control with AI. But, the following methods can also help in streamlining the forging process for workers and artisans.
Proper Ventilation: Passage of air or good ventilation in the workshop is essential. These places tend to be hot. Once the forging process is completed, doors should be kept open for the fresh air to pass in.
If such a place doesn’t have a proper ventilation facility, workers and blacksmiths may suffer because of the lack of air.
Selection of Tools: Being prone to industrial accidents that may cause damage to human beings and property, the tools, gadgets, and engineering equipment used in forging should be standard and of high quality. They can be a hammer, broaching tools, and hydraulic machines.
Employ Expert Workforce: Forging requires epical techniques and meticulous processes. Being a precision work, it may go haywire if the person engaged in a particular job is not an expert in it. Workers involved in forging should have relevant experience and skills for managing such responsible tasks.
Selection of Equipment for Forging
The process of metal forging may require several tools or engineering equipment, but the whole process primarily depends on the following four basic types of equipment:
Hammer: It is the primary tool, and it can be either used by hand or by use of power (power hammer). The hot metal is hit by a hammer to deform (give a specific shape) it.
Press: It can be both hydraulic and mechanical to apply the force or pressure to give a specific shape to the metal as per the dies. Presses are used to constantly hit the metal to enable it to press into the die.
Up-Setter: Similar or almost similar to Press, it is usually applied horizontally to make the metal go into the die (from a horizontal direction).
Ring Roller: This is applied to create metal rings with diameters that can vary from a few inches to 300 inches.
In Conclusion
The metals used in Forging include carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel. Iron and other metals are also used in it. Forging ensures minimum wastage of metals of different nature.
The necessity of forging in the industrial world can’t be doubted. Without this technical process, artisans can’t give a particular shape to metals. Forging helps to manufacture various tools and appliances for industrial and domestic use.
