Open-die forging, also known as free-forging, shapes hot metal between flat dies or a hammer and an anvil. There are no side-walls or full molds used, which allows the metal to flow relatively freely as it is deformed from different sides.
Advantages
Continuous Grain Flow: The grain structure aligns with the part’s shape, improving strength and resistance to failure.
Less Waste: Since there is no flash, this saves on raw material costs, especially with expensive alloys.
Large Parts: It is suitable for forging oversized or custom shapes that don’t fit in molds.
Open-die forging is typically used for large shafts for power generation, cylinders in hydraulic presses, and custom tools and arts for blacksmithing work.
