5. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

The term forging is applied to processes in which a piece of metal is worked in a machine to the desired shape by plastic deformation of the starting stock. The energy that promotes deformation is applied by a hammer, press, upsetter or ring roller, either alone or in combination. The shape is imparted by the tools that contact the workpiece and by careful control of the deformation process.

A forging is produced in three distinct phases: stock preparation in the form of blooms, billets, bar or ingots; plastic deformation of the metal component to rough, close tolerance or net shape in one of the forging processes; and appropriate secondary operations.