Henan: Strengthen graphene research and development and industrial application to accelerate the construction of strong materials province

On November 28, the opening ceremony of Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory was held in the Aviation Port area.

On November 28, the opening ceremony of Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory was held in the Aviation Port area. Henan Provincial Party Secretary Lou Yangsheng attended and delivered a speech, and Henan Provincial Governor Wang Kai attended.

Lou Yangsheng unveiled the Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory, and Wang Kai awarded the appointment letter of director of Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory to Liu Zhongfan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Liu Zhongfan introduced the general situation and development concept of the laboratory.

On behalf of the provincial Party Committee and the provincial government, Lou Yangsheng congratulated the establishment of the laboratory, and thanked the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society and academician experts for their concern and support for the development of Henan. He said that the opening of the Zhongyuan Graphene laboratory is of great significance for Henan Province to strengthen the research and development and industrial application of graphene and build a strong province of materials. A major feature of the establishment of the Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory is to simultaneously land Zhongyuan ene Carbon Co., LTD., Zhongyuan ene carbon Industry Fund, to build a trinity of “science and technology + industry + capital” industrial innovation closed loop, with the laboratory as the “foundation”, industrial companies as the “backbone”, and incubation projects as the “branches and leaves”, to cultivate a competitive and leafy Zhongyuan graphene industry tree. It is hoped that Zhongyuan Graphene Laboratory will live up to its trust and fulfill its mission, take innovation and creation as the starting point and the product industry as the starting point, combine science and technology and industry more closely, and strive to become a strategic scientific and technological force in the field of graphene materials and an important supporting force for the construction of a strong province of Henan materials.

Lou Yangsheng stressed that the Central Plains Graphene Laboratory should focus on the world’s scientific and technological frontier, the major national needs and the development needs of our province, carry out application scenario research and engineering verification, and strive to break through the key common technologies for the large-scale preparation of graphene materials, forming a number of landmark innovation achievements and typical applications. It is necessary to systematically sort out and integrate high-quality research and development resources, educational resources, and industrial resources, strengthen collaborative innovation, strengthen organized, systematic, and full-link technology research capabilities, and accelerate the solution of technical and process problems in the field of graphene materials. It is necessary to improve the result transfer and transformation, venture capital service system, through the graphene industrial chain, innovation chain, capital chain, improve the service capacity of the whole chain, and promote the graphene industry to become bigger and stronger. It is necessary to build a bridge linking “material” and “market”, and build a demonstration application industry chain of graphene materials in combination with the industrial advantages of new energy vehicles, consumer electronics manufacturing, and wind power new energy in Henan Province. It is necessary to thoroughly study and grasp the law of scientific research activities and the law of talent growth, optimize the mode of operation and the paradigm of scientific research, improve the flexible market-oriented mechanism for attracting and cultivating talents, and build a dynamic new type of research and development institutions, so as to make contributions to promoting the self-reliance and self-improvement of high-level science and technology.

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Transformation: Construction machinery industry, from manufacturing to service is difficult?

In the 1950s, China went through the transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy, and now we are going through the transition from an industrial economy to a service economy. Many people do not realize that this is a major transformation of the social and economic structure, so many enterprises feel very painful.

The transition from agriculture to industry

Throughout the history of the development of developed countries, the economic structure has undergone many transformations, from agricultural economy to industrial economy, service economy and experience economy.

 

Agricultural economics involves growing crops, trees, raising livestock on the land, digging minerals out of the ground, and making simple tools to make farming more efficient. The agricultural economy produces goods that satisfy people’s most basic survival needs. China is one of the birthplaces of the world’s agriculture, which began in the Neolithic Age about 10,000 years ago and has experienced a very long development process.

 

Industrial economy entered the historical stage with the emergence of steam engine and electricity, people used machines in factories to produce goods in large quantities, and farmers began to enter factories and transform into industrial workers, which was the first large-scale transformation in human history.

 

Despite attempts to build military and civilian factories during the Westernization movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, China’s real industrialization process began with the first five-year Plan from 1953 to 1957. After the completion of the five-year plan, China’s industrial output exceeded agricultural output, which initially laid the foundation for China’s industrialization.

 

After decades of reform and opening up, China’s industrial economy has developed at an unprecedented speed. In 2010, the added value of China’s manufacturing industry surpassed the United States to become the first manufacturing country. At present, it has 41 industrial categories, 207 industrial middle classes and 666 industrial subclasses, forming an independent and complete modern industrial system. It is the only country in the world with all the industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification

The transition from manufacturing to service

From the international experience, the turning point of the transition from manufacturing to service is concentrated in the years when the per capita GDP reaches 8,000 to 9,000 US dollars. China’s per capita income exceeded 8,000 US dollars in 2010, and the proportion of people’s spending on manufacturing products reached its peak in 2011, and the per capita income exceeded 9,000 US dollars in 2012.

 

In 2012, China said goodbye to the peak of industrialization, industrial goods spending continued to decline, service spending grew rapidly, and the growth rate of industrial added value and employment share of the service industry exceeded that of the manufacturing industry, which was the most prominent performance of technology-intensive industries, which reflects the change trend of “manufacturing to service” at the consumption level.

 

Since then, China has been in the process of economic structure transformation from manufacturing to service, and consumption upgrading is the source of power to promote the transformation of manufacturing to service economic structure, driven by it, the consumer expenditure structure, industrial structure, population flow and urban form changes followed.

 

The transformation from manufacturing to service has brought the pressure of elimination to traditional concepts and traditional economy, and also brought a huge impact to the previous economy and policies. The entire social and economic system is in a relatively fragile stage, and many enterprises are facing huge challenges.

 

Taking the construction machinery industry as an example, before 2012, it was an incremental market, and after 2012, it entered the stock market, and the industry experienced years of painful transformation. The reason is that people lack understanding of the characteristics of the service economy, and the traditional concept formed by the agricultural economy for thousands of years is not conducive to the transformation of manufacturing to service.

 

Mencius said, “Those who work hard govern men, and those who work hard govern men, thinking that intellectual workers rule men, are served by men, and are superior men.” The manual laborer is ruled by others as an inferior person who serves others, and the prejudice against service over millennia has been etched into the depths of the popular psyche.

 

In ancient times, the basic line of the service industry is collectively referred to as the “lower nine”, the service provider is called the servant, and the occupation of getting paid by serving others is looked down upon, with a “lower” word derogatory name, and “nine” shows its variety, backward traditional concept is one of the main reasons for hindering the transformation from manufacturing to service.

 

China’s service industry has accounted for more than 50% for ten consecutive years, becoming the largest industry, but many people still despise service, tangible products are still the center of business activities, considered more valuable; Intangible services, on the other hand, are seen as an adjunct to the product and are grossly undervalued

The key to improving service efficiency

From agriculture to industry, large-scale manufacturing has greatly improved production efficiency and made goods more affordable.

 

However, another difficulty affecting the transformation from manufacturing to service is efficiency. Fragmentation leads to a significant decline in service efficiency compared to manufacturing efficiency (Figure 1). Enterprises still follow the thinking of manufacturing economy and use the idea of increasing scale to engage in services, resulting in high costs and unable to meet customer needs.

Figure 1: The efficiency of the service economy transition has declined significantly

 

Based on the experience of developed countries, the service economy is at the higher end of the profit spectrum, which is the famous smile curve in manufacturing (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Manufacturing smile curve

However, service is not valued in China, some companies even sell products when the service is free of charge, send high-value services, enterprises can only do trade, the value is not high, customer viscosity is low. On the one hand, it is necessary to educate customers to change their concept of service. On the other hand, enterprises must solve the problem of inefficient service, after all, customers are not obligated to pay for the inefficiency of enterprises.

The solution to the problem of service efficiency lies in technological innovation, the use of knowledge base, artificial intelligence AI, self-service and AR remote support, etc., through the network and platform to improve service efficiency.

If thinking is a wall, the objective world is on the other side of the wall, only solidified thinking can block the pace of enterprise, thinking can not reach the height, the pace can not reach.

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Media interview: Industrial enterprises are facing unprecedented opportunities for low-carbon transformation

Exxonmobil, which has been in China for nearly 130 years, has ushered in an intensive period of investment in China in the past two years.

On April 22, 2020, ExxonMobil Huizhou Ethylene Project held a transnational cloud groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Vice Premier Han Zheng and announced the start of the project. In April 2021, ExxonMobil and Sinopec Engineering and Construction Co., LTD. (SEI) signed the general contract for the project, and seven months later, the company made the final investment decision and the project was fully advanced.

In the same year, ExxonMobil Tianjin plant increased capital to build a new filling line and storage tank project, bringing the filling production of the company’s flagship product, Mobil 1, to Tianjin. In September 2022, the Tianjin plant upgrade project officially started, and plans to use ExxonMobil’s existing industrial base to build 21 new storage tanks, and upgrade the laboratory, control room, office area, environmental protection and safety to improve product grade and quality, and provide energy storage for the market of high value-added new products.

Exxonmobil’s presence in China covers all sectors of the energy industry, including upstream gas, downstream, chemicals, research and development centers, and low carbon solutions.

Yue Chunyang, managing director of ExxonMobil’s lubricants business in China, believes that in the promotion of China’s “dual carbon” goal, compared with challenges, industrial enterprises are facing unprecedented opportunities for transformation and upgrading. Whether enterprises can adapt green and low-carbon products and technologies has become the key to winning a new round of competition.

As a global fossil giant committed to playing a leading role in the energy transition, ExxonMobil clearly also sees business opportunities and a greener future in China.

 

Low-carbon action in China

Earlier this year, ExxonMobil announced that it will achieve “net zero emissions” targets for Scope I and Scope II of its major operating assets by 2050, and plans to chart a detailed emission reduction path through comprehensive deployment.

“We plan to invest more than $15 billion in greenhouse gas reduction initiatives over the next six years. At the same time, we also tailor different plans and targets to different countries and regional markets.” Yue Chunyang said that the “dual carbon” target set by China and the very clear target proposed for the entire industrial sector provide clear guidance for the emission reduction and action plans of the entire industry. To this end, ExxonMobil’s actions in China related to emissions reduction will also have some “Chinese characteristics.”

Yue Chunyang explained that, on the one hand, industrial enterprises face corresponding challenges, the overall carbon emissions occupy a relatively large share, so it is necessary to take a big step in the entire emission reduction action, play a leading role. At the same time, industrial enterprises can not only regard the energy transformation or low-carbon transformation requirements under the “dual carbon” goal as a challenge, but should be regarded as an opportunity for the transformation and upgrading of the entire industry, and actively interact and coordinate with many industries and industries.

On the other hand, they feel that digitalization has become an important way for Chinese energy enterprises to achieve green transformation, and Chinese enterprises are currently in a leading position in digitalization, “digitalization and green transformation are mutually coordinated and supportive.” Therefore, the transformation of China’s industrial enterprises is not only a green transformation, but also a digital transformation.

“Digitalization also meets the core requirements of energy transformation to reduce costs and increase efficiency.” Yue Chunyang, for example, said that Mobil Youshida Digital platform (MSDP) and Mobil Youshida intelligent online oil monitoring services, combined with Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things technology, to create a digital service system, to provide Chinese customers with professional, forward-looking, customized maintenance solutions, while helping Chinese industrial enterprises to accelerate the digital transformation.

These “Chinese characteristics” make ExxonMobil highly concerned about and very willing to support the digital upgrading of the entire energy industry in the process of promoting China’s “dual carbon” goal and green transformation.

In China’s low-carbon initiative, ExxonMobil’s products, services and solutions also cover multiple business areas.

Upstream business area

In the upstream business, ExxonMobil signed two long-term agreements with Sinopec and petrochina in 2009 to supply the Chinese market with cleaner liquefied natural gas. In 2019, the company entered into a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with Zhejiang Energy Group for the supply of 1 million metric tons of LNG per year. They are also pushing ahead with joint participation in the Huizhou liquefied natural Gas receiving terminal project – natural gas emits 60 percent less greenhouse gases than coal, taking into account lifecycle emissions, and produces far fewer air pollutants than coal-fired power generation.

 

Lubricants business area

In the lubricants business area of product solutions, ExxonMobil actively promotes the “Green Lubrication Initiative” for the Chinese market. With “less is more” at its core, the project offers a comprehensive solution that includes energy efficient products, professional services, and flexible circular turnaround packaging to help customers save energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase production efficiency.1

 

Chemical business area

In the chemical business area of product Solutions, they try to solve the problem of plastic waste in the environment by improving plastic recyclability. “For the Chinese market, in a pilot project with a film processing company, we have jointly developed an enhanced solution with superior mechanical strength and greater durability, making the recycling of mulch film easier.” Yue Chunyang said that the recycled film is re-granulated to make resin, which is used in other applications such as garbage can lining and secondary packaging, thus achieving a complete cycle from manufacturing, recycling to reuse.

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How is the drawing process of large forgings carried out?

Drawing length is a necessary process in the forging process of large forgings, and it is also the main process that affects the quality of large forgings. Through drawing length, the billet cross-sectional area is reduced, the length is increased, and it also plays the role of breaking coarse crystals, forging the internal porosity and holes, and refining the organization, so as to obtain homogeneous dense high-quality forgings.

At the same time of studying the drawing process of flat anvil, people gradually began to realize the importance of the stress and strain state inside the large forgings on the internal defects of forging, from the ordinary drawing length of the flat anvil, to the drawing length of the V-shaped anvil under the flat anvil and the drawing length of the V-shaped anvil above and below the flat anvil, and then to the later by changing the drawing anvil shape and process conditions. WHF forging method, KD forging method, FM forging method, JTS forging method, FML forging method, TER forging method, SUF forging method and new FM forging method are put forward. These methods have been applied to the production of large forgings and achieved good results.

WHF forging method is a wide flat anvil strong pressing forging method, its forging principle is to use the upper and lower wide flat anvil, and adopt large pressing rate, the large deformation of the heart during forging is conducive to eliminating the internal defects of the ingot, and is widely used in large hydraulic press forging.

KD forging method is developed on the basis of WHF forging method, the principle is the use of ingot in a long time of high temperature conditions have enough plasticity, can be in limited equipment, with wide anvil large compression rate forging, the use of upper and lower V-type wide anvil forging is conducive to the improvement of metal plasticity on the surface of the forging, increase the heart of the three-way compressive stress state, Then the ingot internal defects can be forged effectively.
FM forging method is to use the upper flat anvil, the asymmetric deformation of the lower platform forging, and the friction resistance of the lower platform to the forging deformation, so that the forging gradually deforms from top to bottom, so that the tensile stress is transferred to the contact surface between the blank and the platform, the hydrostatic stress in the center is increased, and the stress state in the deformation body is improved.
JTS forging method is to heat the ingot to high temperature before forging, and then make the surface cool quickly, the surface of the ingot and then form a layer of hard shell, the core is still in a high temperature state, this layer of hard shell plays a fixed role in the deformation of the billet, so that the deformation is mainly concentrated in the center of the forging, thereby increasing the compaction effect of the heart and improving the pass rate of the forging.

FML forging method is a forging method to reduce the load of the press on the basis of FM method. The width of the upper anvil is narrower than that of the billet, and the length direction is consistent with the axial direction of the billet. The following auxiliary tools are still large platforms, and the pressing amount and forging ratio in the process of reforging are relatively small. It is to reduce the load of the press on the premise of ensuring the effective forging of the internal holes and loose defects of the billet.

TER forging method uses wide flat anvil to draw length in one direction, and adopts the cross-anvil process to press and draw length several times, so that the maximum deformation of the blank is produced in one direction, and the internal cavity defects are effectively forged. When the forging method is used, the required pressure is small, and the forging forming cycle is short, so as to improve labor productivity, reduce production costs, and increase economic benefits.
SUF forging method is a forging method in which the height of the ingot is fully reduced during forging by controlling the width ratio of the anvil, and the section is finally forged into a rectangle. It is a forging method by flattening the ingot with a wide flat anvil, and then the width of the metal plastic flow range near the ingot axis is increased by using a wide flat anvil, which is more conducive to forging the defects in the billet core.
The new FM forging method is based on the relationship between the transverse stress of the heart of large forgings and the ratio of material to width. On the basis of the FM forging method, the control of the ratio of material to width is increased to reduce the transverse tensile stress of the careful part.

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7th National Foundry Machinery Standardization Committee Inaugurated in Quanzhou, Marking a New Era in Industry Standards

The 7th National Foundry Machinery Standardization Technical Committee convened its inaugural meeting in Quanzhou on October 15, followed by a standards review conference that ran until October 19. Organized by the National Foundry Machinery Standardization Committee, the event was supported by several local and industry partners, including Nan’an Zhongji Standardization Research Institute and Fujian Minxuan Technology Co., Ltd.

The conference gathered over 100 experts and representatives from government agencies, research institutes, universities, and businesses. Key figures, such as Cao Yiding from the State Administration for Market Regulation, Yao Minghan, former deputy director of the National Standardization Management Committee, and Tan Xiangning, deputy chief engineer of the China Machinery Industry Federation, were present. They emphasized the importance of casting machinery standardization in ensuring the security and stability of the equipment manufacturing supply chain.

Speeches highlighted the role of standards in advancing high-quality development across the sector, advocating for enhanced standard-setting efforts and the broader application of standards in areas like green development, intelligent manufacturing, and safety. Tan Xiangning praised the work of the previous committee and urged the new members to build on its achievements by focusing on standard validation, research, and collaboration.

The meeting included the presentation of awards to notable contributors to casting machinery standardization. Six experts received lifetime achievement awards, thirteen individuals were recognized for outstanding work, and twelve organizations were honored for advancing standardization in the field.

Secretary-General Lu Jun provided a comprehensive report on past accomplishments and outlined future objectives, emphasizing the need to accelerate the development and implementation of casting machinery standards. The attendees approved the committee’s charter and secretariat guidelines, laying the foundation for strengthening the standardization framework.

The event successfully promoted collaboration and dialogue in the casting machinery industry, setting the stage for continued progress in standardization efforts. Looking ahead, the committee is committed to pursuing openness and transparency in standardization activities, aiming to boost the global competitiveness of China’s casting machinery industry through rigorous and sustainable standards development.

 

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What are the advantages of closed die forging

Harvester axle

Closed die forging, also known as impression die forging, is a metal forming process in which heated metal is shaped within a closed set of dies to achieve the desired final shape. This process offers several advantages that make it a preferred choice for producing certain types of metal components.

Closed die forging advantages

High Precision and Accuracy: Closed die forging allows for the production of highly precise and accurate metal components. The closed dies constrain the material’s flow, resulting in tight tolerances and consistent dimensions.

Excellent Material Integrity: The closed die forging process subjects the material to controlled deformation, leading to improved grain structure, reduced porosity, and enhanced material integrity. This results in better mechanical properties, including increased strength and fatigue resistance.

Enhanced Mechanical Properties: The controlled deformation and grain flow during closed die forging result in superior mechanical properties compared to other manufacturing methods. The directional grain flow leads to enhanced strength, toughness, and durability of the finished parts.

Rocker arm forgings

Reduced Material Waste: Closed die forging involves minimal material waste since the metal is shaped within the closed dies. This efficient material usage contributes to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

Wide Material Compatibility: Closed die forging can be performed with a wide range of materials, including various metals and alloys such as steel, aluminum, titanium, and more. This versatility allows for the production of components with diverse material properties.

Complex Shapes and Designs: Closed die forging can accommodate complex part geometries and intricate designs that might be challenging to achieve with other manufacturing processes. The dies can be designed to create intricate features, undercuts, and fine details.

Improved Surface Finish: The closed die forging process generally results in parts with a better surface finish compared to some other metal forming methods. This can reduce the need for additional machining or finishing operations.

Valve holder

Cost Efficiency: While the initial tooling and die setup costs can be higher than some other processes, closed die forging offers long-term cost savings due to its high material utilization, reduced scrap rates, and enhanced mechanical properties, which can lead to longer component lifetimes.

Batch Production and High Volume Capability: Closed die forging is well-suited for batch production and high-volume manufacturing. Once the dies are created and set up, the process can be repeated consistently to produce large quantities of identical parts.

Environmental Benefits: Closed die forging’s material efficiency and reduced waste generation contribute to its environmental benefits. The process aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing material consumption and energy usage.

Closed die forging is commonly used to produce a wide range of components, from small intricate parts to larger and more robust components used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, energy, and more. The process’s advantages make it a preferred choice for producing components that require high precision, strength, and reliability.

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What are the benefits of open die forging?

Auger drilling tooth

Open die forging, also known as free forging, is a metalworking process where a workpiece is hammered or pressed between two flat dies or anvils. The dies do not enclose the entire workpiece, allowing the metal to flow laterally and shape the material. This forging method offers several benefits, making it suitable for various applications. Some of the key benefits of open die forging include:

Customizable Shapes: Open die forging allows for the creation of custom shapes and sizes, making it suitable for producing large, non-standard, or unique components that may be difficult or impractical to manufacture using other methods.

Master axis

Improved Mechanical Properties: The forging process aligns the grain structure of the metal, resulting in improved mechanical properties, including higher strength, better toughness, and improved fatigue resistance. This makes open die forged parts well-suited for critical applications in industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and automotive.

Reduced Material Waste: Open die forging can be highly material-efficient since it typically involves minimal machining or material removal compared to other manufacturing processes. This reduces material waste and contributes to cost-effectiveness.

Enhanced Structural Integrity: The absence of seams or joints in open die forged parts leads to enhanced structural integrity and better reliability, especially in applications subjected to high stress or extreme conditions.

Cost-Effective for Low-Volume Production: Open die forging can be economically viable for low-volume production runs or one-off components due to its simplicity and minimal tooling requirements.

Rotary drill

Short Lead Times: The open die forging process usually has shorter lead times compared to some other metalworking methods, making it suitable for time-sensitive projects.

Versatility: Open die forging can be used with various metals and alloys, including carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, and nickel-based alloys, allowing for a wide range of applications across different industries.

No Size Limitations: Since the workpiece is not confined within a closed die, open die forging can accommodate large or oversized components, making it ideal for forging parts such as shafts, cylinders, and large machinery components.

Die forging rail press

Improved Grain Flow: The working of the metal during open die forging promotes directional grain flow, leading to improved mechanical properties and better performance of the final product.

While open die forging offers numerous benefits, it is important to note that the process may not provide the same level of precision or complexity achievable through closed-die forging or other advanced shaping methods. The selection of the forging method should be based on the specific requirements of the component, cost considerations, and production volume.

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What are the types of closed die forging

Crankshaft

Closed die forging, also known as impression-die forging, is a metalworking process where metal is shaped by compressive forces applied through the use of specially designed dies. There are several types of closed die forging techniques, each suitable for different applications and shapes.

Types of closed die forging

Rotary drill

Upsetting

In this type of closed die forging, the length of the workpiece is reduced while its cross-sectional area is increased. The metal is compressed between the upper and lower dies, causing the material to flow outward and thicken. Upsetting is often used to create heads, caps, and similar components.

Cogging

Cogging is a preliminary forging operation used to reduce the overall size of the workpiece. It involves repeated heating and forging to gradually shape the metal into a rough form, making it easier to handle and further process.

Forgings

Blocking

In blocking, the workpiece is shaped into a rough outline of the final desired product. This process usually requires several dies to progressively deform the metal into a more defined shape. Blocking is often followed by other forging operations to achieve the final product’s details.

Coining

Coining is a closed die forging process used to create intricate and precise features on the workpiece’s surface. It involves high pressures to imprint patterns, designs, or letters onto the metal.

Fullering

Fullering is a forging operation that creates grooves or channels on the workpiece’s surface. It is commonly used to produce handles, decorative elements, or to facilitate further shaping processes.

Bending

In bending, the workpiece is deformed to achieve a specific curvature or bend. Multiple die sets are typically used to progressively bend the metal to the desired shape.

Die forging rail press

Edging

Edging is a closed die forging operation used to create flanges or edges on the workpiece. It involves localized compression to produce the desired edge configuration.

Extrusion

In this type of closed die forging, the metal is forced through a die to produce elongated shapes with a consistent cross-section. Extrusion is often used to create rods, tubes, or other linear components.

Swaging

Swaging is a process used to reduce the diameter of a cylindrical workpiece by applying radial compressive forces through the use of dies. It is commonly employed to create tapered shapes or to reduce the diameter of a rod.

Each of these closed die forging techniques has its advantages and is selected based on the specific requirements of the final product. Closed die forging is widely used in various industries to produce high-strength, durable, and complex metal components used in machinery, automotive, aerospace, and other applications.

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What are the steps of closed die forging process

Valve holder

Closed die forging, also known as impression die forging, is a metal forging process in which heated metal is shaped within a set of dies to produce a near-net-shape or final component. The process involves several steps to transform the raw material into the desired forged product.

The steps of closed die forging

Rocker arm forgings

Billet Heating

The raw material, usually a metal billet, is heated in a furnace to an appropriate forging temperature. The temperature is specific to the type of metal being forged and is crucial for achieving proper plasticity and reducing the risk of cracking during the forging process.

Die Preparation

The dies, which consist of an upper and lower die set, are prepared and mounted in the forging press or hammer. The dies are precision machined to create the desired shape and features of the final forged component.

Billet Placement

The heated billet is placed in the lower die, which has a cavity that matches the desired shape of the final product.

Forgings

Closing and Forming

The upper die is brought down to close the dies and apply pressure to the billet. The force exerted by the forging press or hammer shapes the billet within the die cavity. The material flows and fills the cavities in the die, taking the shape of the final product.

Flash Formation

As the dies close, excess material, known as flash, is squeezed out between the die halves. The flash acts as a reservoir, helping to ensure complete filling of the die cavity and maintaining the desired shape of the forged component.

Precision forging shaft

Ejection

After the forming operation, the dies are opened, and the forged part is ejected from the die cavity. Any excess flash is trimmed or removed.

Heat Treatment and Finishing

The forged component may undergo heat treatment processes such as quenching, tempering, or annealing to achieve the desired material properties. Additional finishing operations, such as machining, grinding, or surface treatments, may be performed to meet the final specifications and requirements of the component.

It’s important to note that the closed die forging process can be modified depending on the complexity of the component being forged and the specific requirements of the application. Additionally, the process may involve multiple forging steps or operations to achieve the final shape and properties of the forged component.

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What are the features of forged wheels

Wheel axle

A forged wheel is a type of wheel that is manufactured through a forging process. Forging is a manufacturing method where a solid piece of metal is shaped and formed under high pressure and heat to create the desired wheel shape.

Here are some key features and benefits of forged wheels:

Wheel axle

Strength and Durability

Forged wheels are known for their superior strength and durability. The forging process compacts the metal structure, aligns the grain flow, and eliminates any weak points or porosity, resulting in a wheel that can withstand high loads, impacts, and stress. This makes forged wheels highly resistant to bending, cracking, and deformation.

Weight Reduction

Forged wheels offer weight savings compared to other wheel manufacturing methods, such as cast wheels. The forging process allows for precise shaping and thinning of the wheel’s walls, reducing unnecessary material without compromising strength. The reduced weight contributes to improved acceleration, braking, and overall vehicle performance.

Enhanced Performance

The combination of strength and weight reduction in forged wheels translates into improved performance characteristics. The reduced unsprung weight contributes to better handling, responsiveness, and suspension performance. Additionally, the increased strength allows for better energy transfer, minimizing power loss and maximizing efficiency.

Customization

Forged wheels offer a wide range of customization options in terms of design, finish, and size. The forging process allows for intricate designs and complex shapes to be created, giving customers the opportunity to personalize their wheels and match their vehicle’s aesthetics.

Wheel axle

Heat Dissipation

Forged wheels have better heat dissipation properties compared to other wheel types. The compacted metal structure and improved surface area-to-volume ratio help dissipate heat generated during braking, reducing the risk of brake fade and prolonging the life of braking components.

Quality and Craftsmanship

Forged wheels are often associated with high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. The forging process requires skilled labor and precise control, resulting in wheels with superior surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and overall quality.

Exclusive and High-End Applications

Due to their superior strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal, forged wheels are commonly used in high-performance and luxury vehicles. They are often considered a premium option and are favored by automotive enthusiasts who seek top-of-the-line components for their vehicles.

It’s worth noting that the cost of forged wheels is generally higher compared to other wheel types due to the complex manufacturing process and the use of high-quality materials. However, the benefits in terms of performance, durability, and customization options make

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