Smx forging strategy

Abstract

A method for radial forging a workpiece from an initial state to an end state, preferably follows a pass schedule multiple times from an initial state to an end state, by means of a radial forging machine with forging tools, preferably four forging tools, arranged around the periphery of the workpiece. The radial forging machine is designed and configured to perform the radial forging in at least three modes of operation, A) radial forging in spiral mode, B) radial forging in straight mode and C) radial forging in flat mode. The shaping of the workpiece from an initial state to an end state is a sequence of radial forging passes. At least two of the three different modes of operation are applied in succession.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for radial forging comprises:
 providing a radial forging machine having forging tools arranged around a periphery of a workpiece, the radial forging machine being designed and configured to perform the radial forging in at least three modes of operation, including
 radial forging in a spiral mode, 
 radial forging in a straight mode, and 
 radial forging in flat mode; and 
   shaping of the workpiece from an initial state to an end state in a sequence of radial forging passes,   wherein the sequence of radial forging passes includes operating the radial forging machine in at least two of the at least three modes of operation.   
     
     
         16 . The method for radial forging according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the forging tools are four forging tools arranged around the periphery of the workpiece, and   wherein the sequence of radial forging passes are part of a pass schedule.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the shaping of the workpiece comprises radial forging in spiral mode, followed by radial forging in straight mode, followed by radial forging in spiral mode.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the shaping of the workpiece comprises radial forging in straight mode, followed by radial forging in spiral mode, followed by radial forging in straight mode.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the shaping of the workpiece comprises radial forging in straight mode, followed by radial forging in spiral mode, followed by radial forging in straight mode, followed by radial forging in flat mode.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein all of the at least three modes of operation are used when shaping the workpiece from the initial state to the end state. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the pass schedule is effected as a function of a material of the workpiece. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising optimizing a surface of the workpiece in a final finishing pass. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein operating in spiral mode includes rotating the workpiece about a longitudinal axis at a predetermined angle of rotation after each forging tool stroke, and   wherein all of the forging tools participate in the shaping.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein operating in straight mode does not includes any rotation of the workpiece after each tool stroke, and   wherein all of the forging tools participate in the shaping.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein only opposite forging tools of the four forging tools arranged around the periphery of the workpiece participate in the shaping while operating in flat mode.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein those of the four forging tools that do not participate in the shaping are positioned on the periphery of the workpiece in order to limit a lateral widening of the workpiece.   
     
     
         27 . A radial forging machine, comprising
 a control device, which is designed and configured to calculate an optimum pass sequence for the workpiece and to preset the radial forging machine for carrying out the method according to  claim 15 .   
     
     
         28 . The radial forging machine according to  claim 27 ,
 wherein the control device is designed and configured to control the radial forging machine based on a pass schedule calculation program, which takes into account a start geometry and a desired end geometry along with a start temperature of the method for radial forging and a material quality of the workpiece.   
     
     
         29 . The radial forging machine according to  claim 28 ,
 wherein, in addition to the start geometry and the desired end geometry, the pass schedule calculation program also takes into account intermediate dimensions of the workpiece to achieve an optimum distribution of changes to shape in the workpiece.   
     
     
         30 . The radial forging machine according to  claim 27 ,
 wherein control of the radial forging machine is effected taking into account a maximum machine force along with geometries of available forging tools.   
     
     
         31 . The radial forging machine according to  claim 27 ,
 wherein in flat mode, in which only two opposite forging tools of four forging tools arranged around the periphery of the workpiece, can be controlled in such a manner that they participate in the shaping, and   wherein forging tools that do not participate in the shaping are adjustable to the periphery of the workpiece such that a lateral widening of the workpiece is at least limited.