forge

A forge is a workshop or hearth where metal is heated to a high temperature and then shaped by hammering, pressing, or drawing. The term also refers to the equipment used, such as a forge furnace, bellows, an anvil, and various tools. In a broader sense, forging is the metalworking process of deforming metal under high pressure to create joints and components with specific shapes and properties.

Historically, forges operated with solid fuels like charcoal or coal, producing a flame and a heated workpiece that could be hammered or pressed into desired forms. Modern forges may be powered by natural gas, propane, electricity, or induction heating, and are often integrated with mechanical presses or hammers in industrial settings. Forging work is categorized by temperature (hot forging versus cold forging) and by tooling (open-die forging, closed-die or impression-die forging).

In computing, the term Forge is used as the name of several software platforms. Minecraft Forge is a widely used modding API that provides a framework for compatibility and loading of user-created modifications for the game Minecraft. Autodesk Forge is a cloud-based platform offering APIs and services for developers to access and integrate design data, enabling 3D model viewing, collaboration, and data management within applications.

Forging as a manufacturing method often yields parts with improved strength and fatigue resistance due to the controlled grain flow from deformation. Common forged components include fasteners, crankshafts, gears, and various structural or mechanical parts.