A description is given of a method and a device for forging a rod-shaped workpiece (5) which is deformed with the aid of forging tools (1, 2, 3, 4) in the sense of a cross-sectional displacement perpendicular to the forging axis (a) and is subjected to an axial advancement and possibly a rotation about the forging axis (a) during the pauses in the engagement of the forging tools (1, 2, 3, 4). In order to achieve an advantageous grain refinement, it is proposed that the workpiece (5) is deformed in the sense of the cross-sectional displacement perpendicular to the forging axis (a) in a bending zone (13) between two central supports (11) by means of the forging tools (1, 2, 3, 4) acting on the workpiece (5) radially in relation to the forging axis (a).

A method for automatic pass schedule calculation during forging, in particular radial forging, of stepped shafts made of metal workpieces, in particular steel, in a forging machine, preferably a radial forging machine with at least four forging tools arranged around the circumference of the workpiece, which are set up and adapted for simultaneous forging the workpiece and/or the stepped shaft, includes: entering starting parameters for the forging process, preferably radial forging process, into a pass schedule calculation program; specifying target parameters for the forging process, preferably radial forging process; and calculating, by the pass schedule calculation program, based on these start and target parameters, a pass plan or calculated a forge sequence. A control and/or regulation unit and a forging machine for carrying out the method are disclosed.

Radial forging of long products made of metal workpieces in a radial forging machine uses at least four forging tools arranged around the circumference of the workpiece, which are set up and adapted to simultaneously carry out the forging operation. An automatic pass schedule calculation includes entering start parameters for the radial forging process into a pass schedule calculation program and defining target parameters for the radial forging process. The pass schedule calculation program calculates a pass schedule or a forging sequence based on these start and target parameters. The pass schedule calculation program determines a temperature variation and the temperature distribution over the cross section of the long product and takes into account the change in shape during radial forging.

A method for automatic calculation of a pass schedule in the radial forging of steel tubes in a radial forging machine is disclosed. The forging machine includes at least four forging tools arranged around the circumference of the workpiece, which are set up and adapted for synchronous forging operation over at least a partial length of the workpiece and/or the tube. Starting parameters for the forging process, preferably radial forging process, are entered into a pass plan calculation program and target parameters for the radial forging process are defined. The pass plan calculation program calculates a pass plan or a forging sequence on the basis of these start and target parameters.

A workpiece manipulator (1) for use with a radial forging press includes workpiece tongs (4). The workpiece tongs (4) are fastened to a manipulator frame (2) guided linearly on a manipulator track. The workpiece tongs (4) form a chuck with a fixed clamping axis (5) which extends in the forging axis or parallel to the forging axis. The workpiece can be manipulated with a linear translational movement. The manipulator frame (2) is rail-bound on wheels (12) during the translational movement.

A one-piece axle and a method of manufacture. The method may include providing a one-piece axle blank that has a shaft and a flange. The shaft may have a hole that may extend along an axis. The flange may extend radially outward from an end of the shaft. The shaft may be radially forged against a first mandrel to axially elongate the shaft.

A method of processing a non-magnetic alloy workpiece comprises heating the workpiece to a warm working temperature, open die press forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a central region of the workpiece, and radial forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a surface region of the workpiece. In a non-limiting embodiment, after the steps of open die press forging and radial forging, the strain imparted in the surface region is substantially equivalent to the strain imparted in the central region. In another non-limiting embodiment, the strain imparted in the central and surface regions are in a range from 0.3 inch/inch to 1 inch/inch, and there exists no more than a 0.5 inch/inch difference in strain of the central region compared with the strain of the surface region of the workpiece. An alloy forging processed according to methods described herein also is disclosed.

A method of making a core metal element for a medical guidewire including providing a wire of nickel titanium alloy having a length that includes a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter. The method further includes applying cold work to the distal portion and not applying cold work to the proximal portion, thereby imparting to the distal portion a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter; and then applying a reducing process to the wire whereby the proximal portion is reduced to have a fourth diameter that is less than the first diameter.

A method for hot forming of a cast forging ingot uses a forging device with radially guided forging dies of which each have two die parts, which can be radially moved relative to each other and of which the inner die part bearing a forging tool is drive-connected, using a hydraulic cylinder, to the other, outer die part, which can be driven using an eccentric drive. In order to provide advantageous forging conditions, the forging ingot is formed under heat, first using the forging dies driven by the eccentric drive, in near-surface forge processing with a degree of deformation which is above the critical degree of deformation and which excludes the formation of cracks, and then, with the outer die parts stopped, with the aid of the inner die parts driven by the hydraulic cylinders, in forge pressing with a bite ratio of >0.5.

A method for hot forming of a cast forging ingot uses a forging device with radially guided forging dies of which each have two die parts, which can be radially moved relative to each other and of which the inner die part bearing a forging tool is drive-connected, using a hydraulic cylinder, to the other, outer die part, which can be driven using an eccentric drive. In order to provide advantageous forging conditions, the forging ingot is formed under heat, first using the forging dies driven by the eccentric drive, in near-surface forge processing with a degree of deformation which is above the critical degree of deformation and which excludes the formation of cracks, and then, with the outer die parts stopped, with the aid of the inner die parts driven by the hydraulic cylinders, in forge pressing with a bite ratio of >0.5.