Metal forging is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned steel processes that are manufactured by metal producing companies, large and small. Since the Industrial Revolution, the casting of metals has been common practice for both commercial and domestic use.
Also traditionally known as ironmongery in Britain, or as hardware in the US, this refers to the manufacturing of domestic rather than industrial goods. With the resurgence of more vintage and traditional looking door-knobs, letter places, gates, window furniture, etc. as well as restoration, the trend of metal forging has renewed on the domestic front.
But what do you know of the process of metal forging?
Putting it merely, forging is the manufacturing process that involves the pressing, pounding, and the squeezing of metal shaping under enormous pressure using localized compressive forces. This is usually done under a specific incredibly hot temperature before the metal is worked upon.
The pounding of the hot metal is made into a specially made die, which is in contrast to the more straightforward forging technique known as casting, as heat forging requires more intensive work and attention to detail. If you need a metal forging company, it’s usually because you need incredibly strong metal components, which can only be created by forging.
You’ll find small, unsophisticated forged parts in your everyday toolboxes such as your wrench or hammer. Or the much larger, really hi-tech parts, which have close tolerance precision components, in the Being 747 and the NASA Space Shuttle. These sophisticated hi-tech forged components also tend to be parts contained inside assembled items such as in airplanes, cars, farm vehicles, ships, oil drilling components equipment, engines, missiles, etc.
Materials Used
Any sort of metal can be forged, but realistically, the most common metals used are carbon, alloy, and stainless steel. As well as steels that are used for robust tools and include aluminum, titanium, brass, and copper. And extremely high-temperature alloys that contain nickel, cobalt, or molybdenum.
The customer determines what they specifically want for their order, and the forging company decides on the weight and strength characteristics they deem most suitable for the job when they Process Industrial Supply.
Forging Equipment
The kind of equipment used to make forgings vary due to styles and drives systems, but on the whole, forging can be produced with hammers, presses, and up-setters. Hammers have a driving force of up to 50,000 tonnes and pound the metal into the required shape with controlled by extremely high-pressure impact blows. With a driving force of up to 50.000 tons, presses vertically squeeze the metal into shape.
Up-setters are realistically forging presses that horizontally press the steel in a process known as ‘upsetting.’ The forging industry is composed of many forging plants that make:
- Custom forging components for clients – these are made to order parts. This is the largest sector in the forging industry, and there are approximately 250 companies in the USA, Mexico, and Canada and which account for over 6 billion dollars in sales each year.
- ‘Captive’ forgings, which many companies create for their own internal use.
- Standard parts are made for resale, which is known as ‘catalog’ forgings.
Choosing A Supplier
Most people who use large forging companies for industrial work want the use of the forging companies’ engineers and developers as they have a specific piece of steelwork required, in mind. They want the state-of-the-art software to design the structure of their forgings and the technology used in their production. So, depending on what you want to have forged and why determines the type of forging company, you choose to do your metalwork.
Most individuals tend to use hardware stores in the USA for the majority of their household items, which involve ready-made metal products. But, if you are an individual who wants to have a beautifully-made bespoke metal-sculpted lamp, door handle, hinges, locks, or knife or piece of furniture custom-made, where you go to have the metal product reshaped is to a professional forging company.
Architectural hardware is becoming more popular, and as a result, small forging companies can supply crafted hardware, which is made by hand, using traditional methods. The quality of the hardware products designed and created varies from supplier to supplier. So, your research of forging suppliers is essential.
If you want local suppliers, look at the classified advertisements in the local papers and ask friends who may have metal products you admire – trust is an essential ingredient with your manufacturer, so if your friends are happy with their products, what better recommendation?
Also, check out the supplier’s websites; read their customer reviews; find out how much they charge and for what; and ensure their delivery commitments are realistic. Skilled artisans can transform metals into beautiful hardware through the age-old and time-tested process of heat forging. Having anything bespoke made for you means you’ll have to be prepared to possibly pay more than if you bought mainstream.
If you are in the construction business as a hotelier, builder, architect, or decorator, you may wish to design, build or renovate ironworks or make decorative metal pieces in large or small pieces. You’ll need to source the most innovative solutions and technologies in the design and modeling of products with guarantees of delivery within the given deadlines.
Quality Assurance
Whatever your reasons for wanting a quality forging company, you’ll find large scale industrial forgeries, or small, localized, personalized ironmongeries as well as forging organizations listed in the FIA (Forging Industry Association) directory. The FIA can advise you on what materials, design ideas as well as guidelines and which forging company would best suit your individual or company’s needs.
Whichever forging company you decide upon, it is an excellent idea to ensure they are fully insured and are full members of the FIA to give you peace of mind. This is especially important for products that need to be made with zero mistakes such as pieces for the aerospace industry – https://weldaloy.com/industries/aerospace-forging. So, whether it’s door hardware, furniture, or lighting you are after, research each forging the company’s portfolio, which should be designed to meet your specific customer needs. Each company’s portfolio should show costs, materials, construction, customization, and style.
With the correct forging company research on-line, you can rest assured that you will find high-quality metal products that can be produced for your own specifications and needs, easily and with complete satisfaction.
