Forging Design Involving Webs

The distinction between an unconfined web and a confined web describes the relative ease of flow of metal to flash during forging. This article describes the various types of unconfined and confined web-and-rib combinations encountered in the design of forgings. It informs that the limits suggested by forging producers and users covering minimum web thicknesses that are producible are helpful in estimating the producibility of a given web thickness in projected-forging design. The article briefly analyzes the web designs of several forgings, including designs for producing flat webs, contoured webs, and oblique webs. It provides a checklist to be reviewed by a web designer.