Latest developments in the open-die forging industry

Open-die forging is one of the oldest steel manufacturing technologies. Tha nks to its high flexibility (simple tooling, flexible control) it will rema in a key technology for the production of medium and large forgings, and ro lled rings. Open-die forging is also becoming a near-net-shape process whic h will guarantee reproducible quality by means of modern process-controlled shaping equipment. This development has been documented in great detail. T he close tolerance range of the product properties calls for increasing app lication of precise computer-controlled manufacturing and testing methods, some examples of this development trend being software-controlled forging, precalculation of heat treatment processes and computer displays of ultra-s onic reflectors within the complete volume of the forging. Close cooperatio n between the forging industry and consumers, plant builders and institutes will become increasingly important in the future. For the forging shops, f urther concentration on specific competencies and increasing specialization will be essential in order to be able to cope with intensifying internatio nal competition.