Abstract
An historical account of the art of forging is given, which traces the development of the machines used, culminating in the 14,000-ton forging presses built for the U. S. Navy during the recent war. Two forging presses of this size were built and installed at the Naval Ordnance Division Midvale Steel Company, Philadelphia, Pa., and at the Naval Ordnance Plant, South Charleston, W. Va., respectively. In one case an electric-drive pump system working in conjunction with a hydropneumatic accumulator is used as the power plant, while the other is of the steam-hydraulic type. A detailed account of the design, construction, installation, and operation of each press is given as well as comparative performance data, cost studies, and the like. Numerous other installations of heavy stamping or die-forging presses of various types and capacities up to 30,000 metric tons at the I. G. Farben Company, Germany, are described at some length.
