The Selection of the Die Faces for Die Forging
Die forging(or impression die forging) is a process that hot metal is placed in between two dies, which are brought together with tremendous pressure. The dies create cavities in the part that remove excess metal leaving its desired shape. This process allows the details in the part to be produced more completely and with more accuracy than any other forging technique. Since die forging is such a precise forging technique, the forging dies must be designed correctly. This means that it is extremely important to select the correct die faces for the process to make sure that the forging produced is of high quality and is as efficient as possible.
Die forging is carried out in two stages. In the first stage the metal is placed in between two specially designed dies and the pressure is applied to form the desired shape of the part. The pressure used is usually very high and this helps in ensuring that the details of the part are well defined. At the same time, due to the high pressure applied it is possible to remove excess metal from the part which not only helps in achieving the desired shape, but also results in better surface finish as well.
The next step involves selecting the die faces. During die forging, the metals are placed in between two die faces. It is important to make sure that these die faces are properly chosen. Usually, die forging dies are divided into three main faces: top, bottom and side. The top face is the most important one as it is the most visible when the product is finished. Therefore, it is important to select the face that is most suitable for the desired shape and function of the part. For example, if you want to produce a closed shear, then a face with a rounded edge would be preferable. Similarly, for a broached edge, a face with a sharp edge would be ideal.
The selection of the bottom face of the die is also as important as the top one. This face is usually used for the ejection of the part when finished, so it has to be designed in a way that will allow the part to be removed easily. Furthermore, it is also important to make sure that the bottom face is not too rough or sharp, as this could cause damage to the surface of the part on its ejection.
The side faces of the die should also be chosen carefully. The side faces are responsible for coining, which helps to ensure that the final product is in the desired shape. The sides should be chosen in such a way that they provide uniformity in the metal and help in maintaining a good surface finish. The sides should also have a certain amount of clearance in order to ensure that there is no interference in the metal during coining and that the metal can move freely without producing any deformities.
In conclusion, die forging is a very old, proven and reliable metalworking process. However, in order for the process to be effective and efficient, it is important to make sure that the correct die faces are chosen for the job. The top, bottom and side faces should all be chosen with regard to the desired shape and function of the part. This will help to ensure that the process is as efficient as possible and that a high-quality product is produced.
