What is forging process?

What is forging?

Forging is a process that uses compressive force to form metal into predetermined shapes. The metal is first heated, and then shaped with hammering, pressing, or using molds. This process is commonly used for parts that require complex geometries or high strength, as it can produce components that are stronger than castings, weldments, or machined parts. Additionally, this method does not require any additional material to be added to the part, which saves time and money. However, it should be noted that forging has a higher labor intensity, and if mold manufacturing is required, there will be additional mold costs. In the case of small-scale production, the cost is higher than other methods; but if there is a certain quantity and regular production, its economic benefits will increase with the quantity.

What is machining?

Machining is a process where precision machine tools, such as lathes or milling machines, remove material from preformed workpieces to create desired shapes or sizes. It is most commonly used for producing high-precision, complex-shaped, or tightly-toleranced parts. Additionally, since no additional material needs to be added during the process, the cost per machined part is lower than forging. However, due to the lengthy machining time, costs can increase significantly as the quantity increases. Machined parts are made directly from the raw material by turning or milling, rather than being formed under compressive force, so their mechanical strength is generally lower than that of forged parts.

Differences between forging and machining:

1.Forging is a manufacturing process that involves shaping metal using localized compressive forces.

2.Machining is a manufacturing process that involves cutting metal using power tools, such as lathes and milling machines.

3.The forging process typically produces stronger metals (e.g., hardness, toughness) than the machining process.

4.The unit cost of forged metal is generally higher than that of machined metal (in situations with low quantities).

5.Forging is more versatile than machining, as it can be used to create a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

6.In recent years, most cases involve first forging the material into a rough blank, and then using machining to shape the forged blank into its final form. This approach retains the strength advantages of forging while reducing the waste associated with machining the entire material #manufacturing #machining #forging