Fastech Engineering and Cleveland State University (CSU) have launched a project in which they will use 3D printing to optimize the forging industry. By using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology to produce forging preforms, the partners aim to reduce manufacturing cycle times and increase efficiency.
Dr. Tushar Borkar of Cleveland State University (CSU) received a Forging Industry Education and Research Foundation (FIERF) grant to study the use of AM processes to reduce cycle time in forging operations. Dr. Borkar and Fastech Engineering (FasTech) are researching wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology to produce forging preforms.
This can be used to transform steel, titanium, nickel and aluminum alloys into components of various sizes. The use of state-of-the-art feedback controls enables printing in both 3-axis and 5-axis configurations.
The CSU is investigating the effects of processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of 316 stainless steel parts. The goal is to improve the mechanical performance of printed parts through controlled deformation in the forging process, increasing strength, ductility, and resistance to impact and fatigue.
The results will be compared to other post-processing methods such as vacuum hot pressing and spark plasma sintering. FasTech and CSU plan to expand their partnership and use the technology to produce other alloys in the forging industry. This could significantly reduce cycle time.
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