The principal methods of hot working are extrusion, drawing, forging and rolling. Rolling is the most extensive employed forming process, though some limitations may apply to the process. Rolling mainly consists of three major sub-categories.. flat rolling, shape rolling (with specifically designed roll grooves) and pipe rolling (including piercing). Forging may be sub-categorized as hamming, pressing, etc.
Forging may be performed under hammers, in mechanical presses and upsetters or by a method known as roll forging. Pressing generally includes the manufacture of forged articles in hydraulic presses. Extrusion usually is performed in hydraulic presses which force the hot steel through a die. Rolling is performed in rolling mills of a variety of types.
The two principal reasons for perform metal forming at elevated temperatures (hot working) are to reduce the forming loads through the reduction of the resistance of the steel to deformation, and to develop preferred metallurgical structures for strength and ductility of the finish products.
The most appropriate manufacturing method of a product will be decided with consideration of its material, sizes, shape, use, standards and other properties.
There are numerous processes for manufacturing butt weld fittings, several examples listed as follows.
One of the most common manufacturing methods for caps, where plate is cut out in a circle and formed by deep drawing.
Deep drawing is the manufacturing process of forming sheet metal stock, called blanks, into geometrical or irregular shapes that are more than half their diameters in depth. Deep drawing involves stretching the metal blank around a plug and then moving it into a moulding cutter called a die.
A drawing press can be used for forming sheet metal into different shapes and the finished shape depends on the final position that the blanks are pushed down in. The metal used in deep drawing must be malleable as well as resistant to stress and tension damage.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Result
All the steps mentioned above give a brief explanation (the basic principle) about Hot forming, deep drawing method. Many more steps are needed, but hopefully the pictures give a good description.
|
||
References |
||
Benkan Japan KK | G. Dieter.. Mechanical Metallurgy, 2nd Ed. | Kurt Lange.. Hand Book of Metal Forming. SME. |