Open Die Forging | The Basics of Drop Forging

If you’ve ever wondered how modern forging facilities manage to manipulate metal into forged parts, then you’ll need to learn about the basics of drop forging (open die forging or closed die forging).

What is Drop Forging?

This process involves dropping a hammer onto the metal to mold it into the distinctly-shaped surfaces called dies that come in contact with the metal. Drop forging can either be open die forging or closed die forging.

Open Die Forging

Also called smith forging, this uses a hammer to strike and deform a metal that’s placed on a stationary anvil. Since this type of drop forging doesn’t completely confine the metal in the dies, the molten material flows in the areas where it’s not in contact with the dies. Therefore, it’s the operator’s job to position the metal until the desired shape is achieved. Open die forging is great for creating simple, large or customized metal components.

Closed Die Forging

Known as impression-die forging, it involves dropping a hammer onto the metal that is placed in a die and is attached to an anvil. The hammer comes in contact with the metal in quick successions until the excess metal is pushed out from the cavities of the die. This results in a flash that’s stronger and cools faster than the metal in the die. The flash is removed before the metal is moved through a series of cavities in a specific die.

Need More Information About Open Die Forging and Closed Die Forging?

Ferralloy, Inc. are experts of open die forging and closed die forging. For more information, contact us today.