20th International Forgemasters Meeting - IFM 2017

The open-die forging unit consists of a respective forging press with hydraulic drive and one or two forging manipulators. A properly conceived manipulator increases productivity and quality in the sphere of open-die forging significantly. In addition to the proces of manipulation with ingot and forging throughout the forging operation, the manipulators are included in the integrated forging unit. Here, they are able to ensure program-based forging of entire series of products with maximum accuracy of manufacture. In view of the required productivity, the recent developments require the full automation of the forging process using high performance equipment starting with the forging press and ending with transfer elements of new generation with using quick and easily controllable drives. The use of two manipulators is advantageous because of the possibility to forge without the need to turn the forging between the operations (alternate holding of the forging). In case of longer forgings, the system of double-sided holding of the forging is used advantageously in order to avoid deflection of the forging. It is also possible to use double-sided holding of the forging and simultaneous synchronization of the manipulator in the final processing of the forging (so called planishing). The automated control of this forging unit also uses the full synchronization of both manipulators, synchronized transfer of the forging between manipulators, control according to preselected algorithms, database system handling, data collection and processing for higher (master) level of control. In the field of operator-machine communication in the future, there is a solution of control and monitoring of machines using 3D visualization processes having indisputable advantages such as even better operator prompting during control of production processes, clearer and logically designed diagnostics, the possibility of extension with production process animation etc.