Schmiedeformen

Schmiedeformen, or forging dies, are specialized tooling used in metal forming to shape workpieces by plastic deformation under high pressure. They consist of die halves that define cavities for the external geometry and features, together with punches or rams that form internal details. In hot forging, the dies must withstand elevated temperatures and repeated impacts, while cold forging uses dies at or near room temperature. The design must account for material flow, flash formation, and easy ejection of the finished part.

There are several main types of Schmiedeformen. Open-die forging uses relatively simple, non-enclosing cavities and relies on hammering or pressing to achieve the final shape. Closed-die, or impression forging, employs fully formed cavities to produce complex shapes in a single shot, often with a flash that is trimmed later. Die assemblies may include trimming dies, ejector systems, alignment features, and cooling channels. For hot forging, dies are typically made from high-strength tool steels and may receive surface coatings or case hardening to improve wear resistance; cold forging often employs extremely hard, wear-resistant dies.

Materials and manufacture of Schmiedeformen involve selecting appropriate tool steels (such as AISI/UNS equivalents in various regions), followed by heat treatment and, in some cases, surface hardening through carburizing or nitriding. Cavities are created using CNC machining and finishing, with electrical discharge machining (EDM) or wire EDM used for complex geometries. After manufacture, dies are assembled and tested in production, with attention to tight tolerances, alignment, and proper venting and ejector mechanisms.

Design considerations for forging dies include draft angles, radii, fillets, and parting lines to facilitate part removal, as well as ejector pins, cooling or venting, and runners/flash management. Schmiedeformen are integral to industries such as automotive, aerospace, and hardware manufacturing, where repeatability, material properties, and surface quality of forged parts are critical. Proper maintenance, inspection, and refurbishment extend die life and ensure consistent part quality.