About Forging

 
 

OPen-Die Forging

Open-die forging uses flat surfaces to shape hot metal. Open-die forging can handle extremely large pieces (tens-of-thousands of pounds).

Basic shapes come from this type of forge.

Closed-Die Forging

One of C&F Forge’s smaller hammers.

One of C&F Forge’s smaller hammers.

Closed-die forging uses a top and bottom die to force metal into a specific shape. The basic steps are:

  1. Heat

  2. Hammer

  3. Cut

  4. Trim

  5. Cool

  6. Inspect

  7. Heat Treatment

  8. Clean

  9. Plating or Coating

After the platter is cut from the rod, usually another operator places it on a press that cuts away the flash. When the finished piece has cooled sufficiently, the pieces are inspected. Finally, any remaining flash is ground off, the pieces are sent for heat treatment, costing or plating and prepared for distribution.

Cold forging

Cold forging is used for small pieces when it is important to maintain the grain properties of the alloy. Hot forging can change the structure of the metal on a very small scale which is desirable for some finished items but not all.

Some fasteners and pinions are formed this way.