The Advantages of Cold Forged Fasteners

Cold forging is a metal working process that is carried out at or near room temperature by material in wire form which is then cut off and fed into a die or multiple dies. The result is a component where the net shape is formed without any scrap, unlike parts which are turned. As they are formed and not cut, the grain flow is simply re-directed resulting in a much higher strength product. Cold forged fasteners are trusted in many industries such as automotive, aerospace and agricultural across the globe.

So, when considering which fasteners to use for any scale of project, here are five substantial reasons why cold forged fasteners are an attractive option:

Due to the product being formed and not cut, the grain flow simply moves in the die or dies to produce the net shape of the finished product, which is inherently stronger than if produced by other processes such as machining. This is a much more ecologically acceptable production method as the finished part is produced without any swarf scrap material.

Typical production rates run at 100/300 parts per minute ensuring high volume parts can be produced very economically. This highspeed manufacturing process is further enhanced by computer-controlled processers which enable parts to be produced with no human supervision, an example of lights-out manufacturing.

As well as basic fasteners such as solid and semi tubular rivets, cold forging enables many specials to be produced, significantly reducing the equivalent costs of products produced by other manufacturing processes. Self-piercing rivets, which are rivets not requiring a hole, are fast becoming the replacement to spot welding as they are both stronger and much more eco-friendly due to the lack of head and fumes. Multi die machines enable specials to be made and of course cold forging provides the blanks for threaded products of which there are many variations, from screws and bolts to clinch studs.

Among forging processes, cold forging is often considered the most eco-friendly option. During cold forging, the desired shape is formed to its net or near net shape which in turn reduces unnecessary waste. Energy consumption is also lower in comparison to other methods such as hot forging or waste such as swarf, which means that businesses using cold forged fasteners are contributing towards sustainable manufacturing.

A consistent part is key for all applications and reproducibility can be a priority for many businesses working on large operations. As metals are formed inside a tool which needs fewer replacements, cold forging is a great way to guarantee a uniform part. The process is also rapid, making it perfect for OEMs looking to source large quantities of consistent parts. Here at Clevtec we reinforce reproducibility with a thorough quality regime, find out more here.

Cold forged fasteners are manufactured with many benefits that will carry through to their chosen applications. We specialise in cold forged components and have consistently provided customers with fasteners delivered to their bespoke specifications. Contact our experienced team and we can discuss the most durable and cost-effective option for your business, get in touch here.

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