Why Aluminum Hot Forging Process Is Better Than Casting

There are two ways that aluminum metal could be formed into other products. One of them is cold or hot forging, and the other one of casting. Casting is the process of heating aluminum above the melting point and pouring it into the mold to dry. The aluminum hot forging process, on the other hand, includes pressing the metal under high pressure to produce plasticity.

There are numerous reasons why the aluminum hot forging process is the best between the two. In this article, we are going to look at why this is the case. Here are reasons why manufacturers are going for forging and not casting:

Higher Strength

When compared in terms of strength, the hot-forged aluminum products offer superior properties. The cast aluminum material has a problem with porosity, which makes them less strong compared to the forged ones.  The high-strength features from the aluminum hot forging process are a result of the heat-treatment process. With the heat treatment, the metal develops fine grains that make it stronger.

Reduced Cost

If you are in the business and want to make money, then you need to check your profit margins. If you an alternative manufacturing process that guarantees better quality output at a cheaper cost, go for it. That’s what the aluminum hot forging process provides compared to casting. For casting, you need to heat the metal above crystallization temperature. This means a lot of energy, which is not the same as forging. The production rate of forging is lower.

Better Lead Time

The time that’s taken to producing hot forging is shorter compared to casting. With the improved technology, it is has become very easy to carry out an aluminum hot forging process. With the hydraulic machine, heating and cooling system plus some finishing machine, you good to hot forge. But with casting, the time used to produce the same aluminum products is long.

Improved Flexibility

When it comes to shapes, the aluminum hot forging process offers one of the best flexibility. With the dies, it is very easy to even form the most sophisticated shapes. The coming of 3d modeling and drawing has also increased this flexibility.

Better Finishing

The surface finishing for the aluminum hot forging process enables the production of an array of finishes. That’s because of the smooth surface that allows even for ease of engraving. That’s not the case with aluminum casting, which produces rough surfaces.

There so many dealers in the market selling used hydraulic press. The increase in the number of these dealers is a result of surging demand for used press machines. We should recognize that there are many benefits that come with buying a used hydraulic press. That’s why people are going for these machine parts.

But there are also limitations for buying used hydraulic press machines. Unfortunately, no dealer will tell you about it. In this guide, we have put together reasons why buying used hydraulic press may not be a good idea:

Shorter Lifespan

One of the disadvantages of investing in a used hydraulic press is a shorter lifespan. When a machine is manufactured new, it is given a lifespan of, let’s say, 20 years. That’s when used properly. If you buy a machine that has already been used 8 years, it means that you only have 12 or fewer years of use.

Outdated Technology

The other limitation of a used hydraulic press is the level of technology. If you buy a machine that was manufactured 8 years ago, it comes with an 8 years old technology. That means you will deny yourself technologies developed in the subsequent years.

Shorter Warranty

The warranty for a used hydraulic press is very short for several reasons. First, you will not be buying a new machine. This means it has quite a short lifespan; hence the warranty will be equivalent to it. Second, you don’t buy these machines from manufacturers but dealers. They will not take a risk with an old machine.

Lower Productivity

The productivity of used hydraulic press is quite low. The older the machine becomes, the less efficient it becomes. This means its performance and productivity will go down. For example, the speed of the machine will also slow with age. That’s how the overall production of the hydraulic press is reduced.

Higher Maintenance Cost

The limitation of a used hydraulic press is the higher maintenance cost. Unlike a new machine, used machines have a high rate of wear and tear. This is because of the reducing efficiency. That means you will need to change the hydraulic oil more often and other parts. That’s how the cost is increased.

Lack Of Spare Parts

The other limitation is the lack of spare parts. If the machine is too old, then you will have a problem finding replacement parts. Even the manufacturer may have stopped producing the model.