What is closed forging? This is a manufacturing and metal shaping process that is done at room temperature or below the temperature of the metal’s recrystallization. It involves inserting a bar stock of metal into a die and squeezed by a second die to create a metal into the intended configuration.

Well, it’s not as simple as it looks. There are several cold forging process steps involved. But a lot of manufacturers like the process because it’s an economical and efficient way of deforming metals to produce high metal parts at low costs.

Forging is done with three temperatures- cold, hot, and warm. Unlike hot and warm forging, cold forging deforms the bar stock and shapes it via compressive forces. These metal workpieces are hammered, pounded, and bent into dies to achieve the final shape.

Do you want to know more about the cold forging process? Keep reading.

Steps involved in the cold forging process

1. Lubrication:

This is the first stage of any cold forging process. Before forging, manufacturers treat the metal workpiece with a lubricant to avoid it sticking to the die and to maintain its coolness when it starts forming

2. Insertion:

The next stage is the insertion stage. The metal is kept on a die that has the supposed shape of the final parts. The die has two sections- one is under the metal workpiece, while the other is attached to the hammer. The hammer is the upper part, so it strikes the metal, produces the force, and deforms it to the intended shape.

3. Stroke: 

The stroke can be gotten by three mechanisms- mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic. Each mechanism drives the shaft downwards with great force to produce the intended shape. This process can happen so fast. Sometimes, the hammer may drop consecutively to produce the intended shape and contour.

4. Flash:

This is excess metal around the die. It protrudes from the metal body as a thin plate, just at the intersection where the dies meet. It is also eliminated during trimming. Now, you may be saying that the flash isn’t important since it will be trimmed off anyway. No. The flash is essential because it compels the metal to fill the die completely. It restricts metal flow, thus creating a perfect impression.

5. Removing parts:

Now, this step depends on the type of process. Most modern manufacturers automate this process using a robotic hand or a conveyor. This measure saves cost when it comes to material handling.

Now that you know the steps involved in cold forging, what are the benefits involved? Why can’t manufacturers go for warm or hot forging instead? What do they gain by using this process?

Let’s find out

Importance of cold forging

There are several benefits of cold forging, but a few will be outlined here- it is very affordable when you consider the pre-processing, temperature, and finishing of other forging processes, it is environmentally friendly, produces faster, enhanced quality, long die life, removes negative reactions, has a high rate of production output, and several economic benefits.

In recent times, the manufacturing industry has adopted various innovative approaches to enhance the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing. Amongst these innovative approaches is computer numerical control (CNC) milling. Most CNC milling services have helped to enhance the mass production of work-piece.

In Case you’re wondering, CNC milling is a method used in the manufacturing process which uses computer software to control all machining tools present. This technology can be adopted and used for performing a lot of complex manufacturing process, amongst which includes routing, milling, grinding, turning, lathing and punching.

As a manufacturer, understanding the good sides and the downsides of this modern technological operation is essential. To find out more, stick to this guide!

Upsides of Adopting CNC Milling machine

Below, are the several benefits attached go using CNC milling machines for your productions:

1. CNC milling helps in the reduction of overall expenses with fewer personnel:

Fewer technicians are needed for operations and oversight as a result of computer software controls of the machinery.

2. It’s beginner-friendly

Skills needed for operating the CNC milling cycle are relatively low and easy to acquire with basic training compared to the skill required by manual operators.

3. Increase in productivity as a result of continuous use

Compared to manual labor, CNC machinery can work over time without stopping. This greatly increases productivity.

4. Makes complex tasks achievable

The CNC mills technology uses computer precision to go beyond the limitations of manual capabilities thereby making it possible for complex and intricate operations to be achieved.

5. Precision, Consistency, and Redundancy

With the use of the CNC milling machine, the program needs only one run and the system perfectly replicates that design, for any order quantity without the same quality.

6. It allows mass production

The CNC mills software can be easily reprogrammed to produce different parts. This allows operations to run and keep up with high demands.

Downsides of Adopting CNC Milling

Now that you’ve seen the advantages of CNC milling, it’s important that you also understand a few of the disadvantages that come with this manufacturing approach. Let’s have a look at them below:

1. Justlike every other technology, the cost of the initial implementation of CNC mills is more expensive compared to adopting other approaches. However, since CNC milling has become the standard, supply is getting high which will eventually result in reducing costs.
2. WithCNC mills taking over the industrial operations unit, this could eventually lead to loss of long-physical skills. So, a lot of jobs will be lost.
3. Withprocesses leveraging automation, comes a reduction in the need for manpower. Fewer laborers will be hired and it will lead to an increasedrate of unemployment.

Conclusion

In all, the upsides of CNC mills far outweighs the downside. Due to the introduction and adoption of new technologies, several adjustments are being made to meet new trends. Automation and 3D printing continue to advance to meet the demands of customers.

If you are involved in plastic injection manufacturing, you probably know the need for drying plastic granules or pellets before processing. You need different dryers for injection molding to ensure you produce high-quality parts for your customers.

With different resin dryers available on the market, it becomes challenging to get the right one for you. Remember that a hopper dryer is important plastic auxiliary equipment. Therefore, you may need to consider the different types of dryers for injection molding to make the right decision.

Hot Air Dryer

This type of dryer provides an economical means of drying your plastic resin. The dryers use the heated ambient air to get rid of moisture from the material. These dryers are suitable for drying plastic materials that do not have an affinity for moisture. Plastics without affinity to moisture are known as non-hygroscopic. In this case, the moisture is removed from the surface of a pellet.

With the hygroscopic resin, the flow of hot air changes pressures the pressure outside and inside of the pellet. As the pellet balances the pressure, the moisture gets out of the pellet to the surface until it attains the balance with the dry air.

Compressed Air Dryer

Another common dryer for injection molding that has similar parts like the hot air dryer. For instance, they both have the hopper, controller, and heater. The compressed air utilizes air from the plant’s processing unit. You should note that compressed air has less moisture than what is regarded to be normal at the atmospheric pressure. In fact, the dryer is suitable for different molding applications.

Although it seems to be an energy-efficient and simple process, the dryer’s energy needs are like those of the desiccant system. Sometimes you may have to integrate a compressor because it comes in a lot of air.

Dehumidifying Dryers

This type of dryer is designed to remove moisture from plastic material before it is processed. In this case, the air gets through the desiccant bed to ensure it is extremely dry. Even after the air becomes dry, it gets heated to a particular temperature before being fed into the hopper. The hot air draws moisture from the material. These dryers are widely used because of their efficiency and durability. However, you have to ensure the desiccant beads are protected.

Honeycomb Dryer

This type of dryer has a canister that can send dry air into the hopper to provide a uniform flow of dry air. The dryers can operate at an optimal level at the dew point. However, they become less effective as desiccant material gets saturated with moisture. Moreover, the effectiveness is also reduced by moisture-filled air that is re-circulated into the system. In rare cases, the system can add moisture to the material.

Vacuum Dryers

These types of dryers are known to increase the rate of drying the plastic material. They help extract the moisture and leave it in a condition to be extruded or molded. The vacuum dryers can dry the material quickly. When you compare this method to others, it is cost-effective and it improves the performance of your injection molded parts.

Since the world exploded with various inventions, things have just never been the same. At the center of all these inventions and advancements in the manufacturing industry. From rapid manufacturing to 3D printing, the race to be at the top has heightened over the years.

For most people, spotting the difference between the concepts has also been a challenge. One such challenge is with 3D printing and rapid manufacturing. Are they the same thing? Or is there a difference which we have missed?

In this article, we’ll look at both concepts and see if we can spot some differences.

Understanding 3D Printing

Simply put, this is the entire process of manufacturing that takes place digitally. The end result of 3D printing is bringing the product that has been modeled into existence. The fabrication of any material during this procedure is done using a nozzle or head.

3D printing is fundamentally different from rapid manufacturing. Here’s why.

Understanding Rapid Manufacturing

The word “rapid” gives it all away in my opinion. It simply refers to a quicker way of manufacturing products. It is a form of additive manufacturing that makes it faster and more accurate. Rapid manufacturing is usually made possible through the use of 3D printers and similar technology.

While these are the easiest differences between both concepts, there are yet even others. Let’s consider some of them.

The price

Rapid manufacturing and 3D printing are going to need substantially different amounts of cash to pull off. If you are in the manufacturing industry, you’d quickly realize that rapid manufacturing is leagues ahead of 3D printing when it comes to costs.

This can be explained by the machine costs and other maintenance that has to be regularly carried out. Most 3D printing will usually cost you $1000-3000 every year in maintenance. Rapid manufacturing, on the other hand, can easily cost you $10,000.

The choices of material available

Here’s another vital difference. The material used by both processes is worlds apart. For 3D printing, the material usually used include plastic and PVC. For rapid manufacturing, there is an endless list of materials that can be used.

The bottom line is that raid manufacturing is definitely more flexible than 3D printing.

Other things such as the precision and accuracy of both processes are largely different. You can expect more accuracy and detail with rapid manufacturing. It’s just a lot broader than 3D printing.

So what should I do next?

If you wanted to find out the difference for your business, then this is the right time to act. If you are interested in rapid manufacturing, then you should make time to do research.

Getting the right items can make a lot of difference in how your products turn out in the future. So make a wise choice.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! That’s the difference between rapid manufacturing and 3D printing. You can be sure that you’ll have absolutely no confusion from now on. We hope this has a positive impact on your business.

If you own a truck, then you probably know how important it can be to your business. It can therefore seem like a big problem when your truck breaks down. How on earth do you find the right truck parts to get your truck going once again?

If finding the right AW truck parts troubles you, then you’re reading the right article. We’re going to discuss how you can get the right AW truck parts. As always, finding the right truck parts will mean taking note of some important pointers.

Factors to consider when replacing your truck parts

Consider the price

If there’s one thing that definitely sits at the top of the chain, it has to be the price. The price of the truck parts definitely has a lot of effect on your business as well as the budget.

To ensure that you get the best deal, always make sure you shop around first. This allows you to see and compare the various prices offered by various companies.

What company fits your needs better?

Speaking about companies, it might also be wise to consider the particular company you want to buy the truck parts from. The first thing you should look for is a company with a good reputation. Reputation can be measured by how the company has existed and the satisfaction of their customers.

You should also make sure the company offers reasonable prices. They should also be able to give you the exact AW truck parts that you are looking for. The combination of all these factors will definitely leave you moving in the right direction.

Warranty issues

Most companies selling AW truck parts will often give their customers a form of reassurance through a warranty. This warranty lasts for a particular length of time.

The implications of having a warranty are enormous. Most importantly, a warranty allows the customers to feel safe that their resources will not be wasted.

Make sure that they are compatible

You can get the right company, right price, and quality parts but still fail in your bid if they are not compatible. Certain trucks only work well with certain parts. You should do your research before making a purchase.

By doing so, you will be saving yourself much-needed funds and heartache.

Other factors worth considering

While these are some of the most important factors, there are still other issues worth considering. You should also take time to make sure that the description of the product is actually true. This can be done by verifying the quality of the truck parts.

The important thing is not to rush the process. This is after all crucial for you and your business.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Truck parts can come in for some useful replacement options. While this is true, having the right knowledge of truck parts is crucial in making the right decision.

By doing this, you will be definitely be setting yourself up for success. So what are you waiting for? Get your AW truck parts as soon as you can.

The automotive industry is rapidly growing with new inventions and innovations coming up. Technological changes and modern production techniques have contributed to the continued growth in this sector. When we started with simple vehicles, assembling was mainly done manually. As time went by, new techniques of car assembly came up. We created robots in our assembly plants to aid in manufacturing processes and computer-controlled systems. CNC machining car parts has made production more comfortable, fast, and cost-effective. We can produce multiple high precision car parts at a relatively low cost. Gone are the days when manufacturing processes took long due to a shortage of parts.

CNC machining cart parts and prototypes

Modern-day cars use high precision custom made parts. Most manufacturers prefer hiring custom machining services for mass production of these parts. The following are some CNC car parts:

Engine

A typical car engine comprises of a cylinder block with pistons they move up and down in the cylinders. A metal block drilled, cut and tailored to give a cylinder block through CNC machining. CNC machining has a subtractive nature, making it the best to use for mass production of car engines. The pistons used in internal combustion engines undergo machining to ensure quality and high precision cutting. A CNC machine can produce multiple parts with uniformity with little human labour. The production process can run continuously without breaks, unlike human labour. Computer-aided designs are used in the machining process and can be replicated several times where mass production of the same part is required.

Lighting

Acrylic glass- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is shatterproof and is usually used in headlights and interior car lighting. CNC machining is required to make quality parts. It also allows rapid prototyping of parts for testing and validation.

Interior panels

 Interior car panels like the dashboard and speedometer and such are made of plastic. CNC machining is vital in the production of these parts to ensure that they fit correctly during car assembly.

Drive axels

The components used are driving axels like hypoid gears, and spiral bevel gears are good examples of CNC car parts. These gears have a teeth-like structure which is cut in CNC shops. The geometry complexity of these parts makes CNC machining the best production technique. Since there is no heating of the metals used in CNC machining car parts, structural integrity remains intact. The structural integrity of car parts is essential to ensure durability and safety. Prototypes made through CNC machines pass validation processes faster, speeding up the production process.

Although casting is used to make car parts, some of these parts require CNC machining during finishing. The future of the automotive industry is promising with the integration of new production techniques. Although 3D printing has overtaken CNC machining for the production of parts, machining still contributes immensely in most sectors. The main disadvantage of using CNC machining for automotive components is the production of waste due to the subtractive nature of the technique. With the invention of Autonomous cars, the use of CNC car parts is expected to skyrocket. Rapid tooling is to incorporate production processes to reduce the cost of production and tie required to make CNC car parts.