Possibilities of Measuring and Detecting Defects of Forged Parts in Die Hot-Forging Processes

This paper presents research results in the field of industrial die forging, mostly related to the use of advanced measuring techniques and tools, numerical simulations, and other IT tools and methods for a geometrical analysis of the forged items as well as detection of forging flaws and their prevention, and optimization of the hot-forging processes. The results of the conducted investigations were divided into three main areas. The first area refers to the application of, e.g., optical scanners and programs related to their operation, data analysis, including the construction of virtual gauges, measurements of selected geometrical features of both the manufactured forgings and their physical and virtual models, as well as an analysis of the durability of the forging tools based on the proprietary reverse scanning method. The second area presents the results of measurements and analyses performed with the use of finite element modeling and by means of some special functions in the calculation packages, such as contact, flow lines, trap, or fold, for the detection of forging defects and an analysis of the force parameters. In turn, the third area presents a combination of different methods of measurement and analysis, both FEM and scanning, as well as other IT methods (physical modeling, image analysis, etc.) for the analysis of the geometry and defects of the forgings. The presented results point to the great potential of these types of tools and techniques in forging industry applications as they significantly shorten the time and increase the accuracy of the measurement, as well as providing a lot of valuable information, physical variables, and technological parameters that are difficult or impossible to determine either analytically or through experimental means. The use and development of these techniques and methods are fully justified, both in the aspect of science and the increased effectiveness and efficiency of production.