Physical Simulation Using Model Material for the Investigation of Hot-forging Operations

Physical simulation using model materials is an effective tecImique to investigate hot forging operations of complex shapes and can be a significant alternative to a numerical approach (F.E.M) in the preliminary phases of process design. This approach is suitable to evaluate die filling, material flow, flow defects and to predict forging load system. The paper is focused on i) presentation of the equipment, developed by the Authors, and ii) its application to model the hot forging of a crane link. The developed equipment is suitable to replicate forging operations using wax and lead as model materials, as well as to reconstruct the system of forces acting on the dies. Characterisation of model material and forged steel has allowed to obtain an estimation of real forging load at each stage of the sequence.