Finite Element Simulation of Hot Forging Process for KVBM Gear

In this study, the forging operations of gear has been modeled. This gear is a part which is manufactured with the help of hot forging industry for reduce the cost. The authors propose to reduce the initial billet volume of AISI 4340 steel for the forged through process optimization using the Finite Element (FE)method. The object of this research was to predict the effect of several parameters, such as effective stress, effective plastic strain, temperature and die contact, on the forming of the gear, utilizing computer simulation and experimental results. For this purpose, Solidworks CAD and Simufact Forming FE software were used for the modeling and analysis of the forging process. The billet volume and the preform design were predefined in order to reduce scrap by using preform type C. The experimental results showed that the initial billet volume was reduced at 32 %, which compared favorably with the simulation result of a 40 % reduction. The maximum preforming force of simulation result was diferent with the experiment result at 18 along with the maximum finishing force of simulation result was different with the experiment result at 11 %. It was also found that the effective stress decreased with increasing the temperature, and the press force decreased when the initial billet volume was decreased, which resulted in a decrease of effective plastic strain as well.