metal forging
Shaping heated steel
Metal forging is the process of shaping metal by heating it and hammering, pressing, or rolling it into form.
Unlike casting, which pours molten metal into molds, forging works the solid material, producing denser, stronger results.
The technique ranges from a blacksmith hammering horseshoes to industrial presses stamping automotive parts: The crankshaft was made by metal forging rather than machining.
- swage blockGrooved anvil for metalwork
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- anvilMetal-shaping block
- hammer blowForceful tool strike
- furnaceEnclosed heat-producing structure
white hot · recrystallization · tongs · blacksmith shop · billet · titanium · aluminum · hydraulic press · automotive parts · heat · plastic deformation · stainless steel · carbon steel · red-hot · industrial machinery · iron · smithy · medical implants
metal forgingmetal casting
Shaping molten alloy in molds
die casting · sand casting · welding · machining · metal cutting