Rotary Swaging
Rotary swaging, sometimes also referred to as spin swaging, is a metal forming technique in which metal components are cold formed into specific shapes and sizes. This metal forming process typically uses one or more hardened tool dies, which can be rounded or contoured, that are set in a rotating press. The material to be swaged is then inserted into the tool cavities. As the press spins, the die cavities are forced onto the material, resulting in a strong and uniform shape. Rotary swaging is primarily used to form and size gears, sprockets, spline shafts, pipe fittings and certain types of tubular components.
Rotary swaging is a cost-effective and precise process for forming metal components, although it does require a specialized machine for excellent results. The methods price advantage is especially evident when it is compared to other cold forming processes like forging, which require specialized tools to achieve accurate results. Additionally, rotary swaging can be used to form a variety of materials, including steel and some higher-strength alloys.
As with other cold working processes, rotary swaging can also be used to change the properties of the workpiece, such as its hardness and strength. Depending on the material being swaged, high temperatures and die shapes can be used to soft swage the workpiece and achieve a tight fitting and compact design. Alternatively, lower temperatures and harder dies can be used to hard swage the workpiece and achieve tight tolerances, sharp corners and precise bends.
Rotary swaging is an effective and precise method for forming components of various shapes and size, but it does have certain limitations. The die sizes used in the process often limit the minimum size of the workpiece, and the results of the rotary swaging process are dependent on the quality of the die and tool cavities. Additionally, the resulting forces of the rotary swaging process can cause plastic flow of the material, which may affect the surface finish of the workpiece.
Overall, rotary swaging is a cost-effective and precise method for forming a wide range of metal components. The process is relatively simple, fast and versatile, and it can be used to form components of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. With the right tools and methods, rotary swaging can be used to achieve tight tolerances and precise bends, making it an effective process for forming components to exact specifications.
