A new guide from Land looks at the role of temperature monitoring in drop and press forging
A new application note from Land looks at the role of accurate, non-contact temperature monitoring in drop and press forging processes, exploring how its pyrometers and thermal imaging solutions can lead to improvements in production, efficiency and process control
Drop forging is the process of producing parts, tools, and fittings at high volumes using a forging hammer. Consistent results can be achieved by heating components in a gas-fired or induction furnace before moving on to the hammer. Every individual heated part is measured with a pyrometer before forging.
If any parts fall outside the desired temperature range, they are redirected to a separate container. Inaccurate temperature data could lead to unnecessary scrappage, increased production waste, and higher costs.
The Spot+ Pyrometers from Land are designed for these applications to deliver quicker and more accurate point temperature measurements as parts move from the furnace to the hammer or press. Spot+ can quickly identify out-of-range components, helping to reduce waste.
Press forging creates large components, like rolls or shafts, which require being heated multiple times throughout the process. Materials have a temperature window that needs to be closely monitored throughout the process to ensure no damage is caused.
The NIR-2K and MWIR-640 thermal imagers from Land monitor parts across their entire surface, finding hot and cold spots that a pyrometer could miss.
Online process control provides 24/7 access to process and temperature data. Temperature ranges span from 600 to 1800°C / 1112 to 3272ºF (NIR-2K at three million camera pixels) or (300) 500 to 1800°C / (572) 932 to 3271°F (MWIR-640 at > 300.000 camera pixels), both fully radiometric calibrated.
Manfred Hayk, technical product and application support manager at Land, said: “Forging environments demand precision and reliability. Our Spot+ pyrometers and high-resolution thermal imagers give operators complete visibility of temperature conditions, enabling faster decisions, improved quality and reduced waste.”
Land’s non-contact temperature measurement technologies can be used for various applications, including heat treatment, forging and forming.
