Precision forging process with axially driven container

In order to reduce the forming pressure of precision forging to a feasible level, a method employing an axially driven container is proposed. In this method, a movable container, which is axially driven by an actuator while the billet is squeezed by the punch, is employed. The billet material flows easily into the corners of the die cavity and/or the material flow is controlled by the help of the friction over the billet-container interface. The effectiveness of this method for enclosed-die forging of stepped shafts and for forward/backward can-can extrusion are examined by experiments and by FEM simulation. The results show that the forming pressure is reduced significantly in enclosed-die forging when the container is moved in one cycle or oscillation, and the material flow in the two directions of extrusion can be controlled by moving the container. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.