In the power generation industry, custom forged parts and seamless rolled rings can be used in the manufacture of turbines and other power generation machinery as well as hydraulic applications including gears, shafts, hubs, and flanges.
Consequently, when forging equipment parts for the power and energy sector, it is crucial to tailor components for their specific applications, or “end use.” In the realm of metal parts, end use commonly denotes the ultimate form and state of the final machined part, along with a comprehension of the operating conditions it will face during service.
“By understanding the final application or purpose – the end use – for which these parts are designed and manufactured, forged parts suppliers can determine the appropriate materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards necessary to ensure that the metal parts perform effectively and reliably in their intended applications,” says Jeff Klein, Director of Sales for All Metals & Forge Group. The ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D-certified manufacturer produces open die forgings, seamless and contoured rolled rings, and complex forged parts to industry standard specifications in 8-10 weeks.
Open die and forgings and seamless rolled rings play a crucial role in the industry. As such, these items must exhibit exceptional attributes such as strength, durability, precision, and resistance to fatigue, deformation, and harsh environments to meet precise performance standards.
In some cases, failing to consider the end use can even introduce serious risk, including catastrophic failure of a part while in operation, resulting in safety hazards as well as very costly production downtime when essential replacement parts are not readily available.
The consideration and planning to meet end use requirements should begin with the service requirements outlined during the engineering phase of design and conclude when the part is in its operating position, performing as intended. It is vital that the manufacturer specify the end use of each part and ensure it is communicated throughout the production chain, from the design engineer, through purchasing, the forging operation, heat treating, finish machining, and final assembly of the end use, including the mechanical property requirements and the heat or corrosive conditions in which the forged part will perform.
According to Klein, the power and energy industries have unique specifications and standards that metal parts must meet. The specific function of the part will dictate its design, dimensions, material selection, forging, heat treating and finishing processes. In all cases, the part must be manufactured to industry standard specifications such as ASTM or AISI unless the equipment OEM has developed their own requirements by modifying one of those standards. In short, the finished product must comply with all quality, durability, chemistry, and mechanical properties within the selected standard.
Seamless rolled rings can be produced in a variety of alloys, sizes, and shapes specific to fit end use requirements. However, by working closely with the forging supplier, engineers, buyers, and machinery builders can ensure the ideal selection of chemistry, mechanical properties, heat treatment, machining, and testing ultimately required for each part’s end use.
By collaborating with an experienced seamless rolled ring manufacturer that can tailor the forging process to the specific end use, power sector OEMs can ensure their final product meets all the necessary requirements and industry standards for their specific application.
For more information, call All Metals & Forge Group at (973) 276-5000; in Canada 416-363-2244, or visit http://www.steelforge.com.