NOTES ON SWAGING OPERATION !!

Swaging is a metal forming process of reducing diameter of a rod or tube by forcing it into a die with the help of reciprocating blow. This plastically deforms the metal and force it to flow into die and acquires die cavity shape. The fundamental concept is similar to forging process but the difference is that it uses reciprocating die for repeated hammering, which forces the metal into die. The die cavity contain the exact shape which we want to produce on rod or tube. This process is used to form screw drivers, soldering iron tip etc.

It is a cold working process. The process takes place in two parts.In the first part of this process, a circular rod or tube is made by other metal forming processes like forging, extruding, drawing etc. This rod have exact dimension which we require in final product. Now the actual swaging process occurs.

The second part is also known as rotary swaging in which rod or work piece made by other processes is held stationary into a swaging die and a movable die rotates around it. This rotating die has some reciprocating components which allow to strike the work piece at a rate 10 – 20 stroke per second. Many blows are required to complete forming of work piece. It forms a cavity according to the die on the work piece. This process is mainly used to point the end of the work piece or convert the end into desired shape as required in screw drivers, small hand tools etc. It is also used to produce hollow drive shaft, shock absorber etc.