Swaging: How It Works, Key Applications, Benefits & Drawbacks

Today we will learn about swaging process. 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 will plastically deform the metal and force it to flow into die and acquire die cavity shape. The fundamental concept is similar to forging process but it uses reciprocating die for repeated hammering, which force 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.

Swaging Process:

Working:

As we discussed this process work on the same principle of plastic deformation in which the work piece or more appropriate rod is forced into a predefine die cavity where it deform and convert into shape of die cavity.  It is a cold working process. This process performs in two part.

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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 will rotate 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 for complete forming of work piece. It will form 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 desire shape as required in screw drivers, small hand tools etc. It is also used to produce hollow drive shaft, shock absorber etc.

For better understanding and clear image watch the following video.

Advantages:

• It can use for mass product.
• The process is easy and does not require any skilled operator.
• Low manufacturing cost.
• High surface finish.
• No material wastage because it does not form any chips.
• High accuracy can obtain by this process.
• Any material can be formed by this process.

For better understanding of its advantages watch the following video.

Disadvantage:

• It is noisy operation.
• This process is limited according to diameter of rod and die.

This is all about swaging process. If you have any query regarding this article, ask by commenting. If you like this article, don’t forget to share it on social networks. Subscribe our website for more interesting articles. Thanks for reading it.