What Is a Swaging Machine?
A Swaging machine is a metal forging process that utilizes compression to deform and manipulate the shape of a workpiece via a die. This forging method is often used to assemble, reinforce, or strengthen components such as cable, rod, tubing, and wire rope. It is a cost-effective alternative to welding. The swaging process can be performed using cold or hot forging techniques depending on the material involved. The swaging operation can be performed on metal and non-metal materials such as rubber, plastics, wood, or other polymers. The swaging process can be utilized to form round, square, and rectangular sections as well as tapered shapes, splines, and contoured surfaces.
The swaging process can be conducted on either an electric or hydraulic swager. Both types are used for a variety of applications and industries. A swaging machine is an effective and economical solution for cold forging a workpiece without the heat and distortion associated with hot forging. This method also allows the worker to control the wall thickness of the workpiece by adjusting the hammer force applied to the swage.
The basic swaging machines include a chuck that supports the stock centered in a group of two or four shaped swaging dies. A cammed or lobed outer cage rotates around the chuck and dies forcing the dies up against the stock and then back away, sometimes up to 2,000 times per minute. This repeated swaging action compresses the workpiece and forms it to the desired shape. The swaged workpiece will have a tolerance of +-0.05 mm to +-0.5 mm and will be bundled with improved mechanical properties. Materials such as tungsten and molybdenum are typically swaged at elevated temperatures since they have low ductility at room temperature.
Rotary swaging machines are commonly employed to swage the end of a tube to a specified diameter and point profile. This can be done for items such as hoses, valves, and tubes that require a specific end configuration or to create a pointed end on an item like bullets. This type of swaging is also used for forming long or steep tapers and making large reductions.
Stationary swaging machines can also be used to increase the size of a pipe diameter by inserting a mandrel into the end of a section of pipe. This will deform the section of pipe into a new, larger diameter shape. This can be used to connect a smaller pipe to a larger one or to make tubing of the same diameter into a different shape.
In addition to standard swager parts and equipment, FENN can provide custom design services as well as complete turnkey systems. All swagers are manufactured and fabricated in-house at FENN’s East Berlin, CT facility. Each swager features the highest quality dies, hammers, and wear parts to ensure accurate swaging and a reliable operation. FENN can also offer a wide range of accessories and options such as sound enclosures, coolant/slushing systems, and feeders to meet your specific application requirements.