Closed Die Forging

Closed die steel forgings, commonly called impression-die forgings, are produced through a multi-step process. Heated steel is placed in a forging press and compressed in a series of tool steel dies that progressively reflect the mirror image of the desired final shape. Closed die forgings are specified in high load and high-stress applications for a number of reasons, including internal consistency (no pockets or voids), and superior mechanical properties due to optimized grain flow and refinement. Forgings offer overall excellent dimensional and mechanical consistency part to part, lot to lot.

Closed Die Forging Process

At Walker Forge, we are sure to meet any of your custom specifications. High purity SBQ (special bar quality) steel is saw-cut or sheared into billets, heated in a gas-fired or electric induction furnace to a precise temperature then transferred to a mechanical forge press. The forge process typically includes 2-3 hits using pressure to compress and plastically deform the heated metal to mirror the die impression.  The forging dies confine the metal flow resulting in more precision in the final forging geometry as compared to open die-forging. If required, the forging is subsequently heat-treated and machined.

Walker Forge Engineering Department

Walker forge utilizes design and simulation software to work collaboratively with our customers. Typically, our customer shares a print or 3D model of their part requirement along with a raw material designation or specification.  Then our Engineering department determines an optimized forging design for customer approval.