Metal Forming.

Process

Forging is a manufacturing process where metal is pressed, pounded or squeezed under great pressure into high strength parts known as forgings. It is important to note that the forging process is entirely different from the casting (or foundry) process, as metal used to make forged parts is never melted and poured (as in the casting process). There are basically four methods (or processes) to make a forged part, Impression Die Forging, Cold Forging, Open Die Forging and Seamless Rolled Ring Forging.

Impression Die Forging: pounds or presses metal between two dies (called tooling) that contain a precut profile of the desired part. Parts from a few ounces to 60,000 lbs. can be made using this process. Many of the smaller parts are actually forged cold.

Cold Forging/Heading: encompasses many processes -- bending, cold drawing, cold heading, coining, extrusions and more, to yield a diverse range of part shapes. The temperature of metals being cold forged may range from room temperature to several hundred degrees.