Using forging software is about far more than just convenience. Although many manufacturers are initially enticed by reduced time to market and cost savings, forward-thinking leaders quickly see how those internal benefits translate to the greater overall market for casted and forged products. Manufacturing companies are increasingly embracing forging simulation software to remain nimble and focused on the customer in a highly competitive sector.
Forging software empowers engineers and designers to set parameters, anticipate defects, and objectively confirm calculations before making a physical prototype. Not only does this save time and money, but it also allows teams to test various techniques to determine the most efficient method of manufacturing a specific product.
Forging software may be a force multiplier for existing personnel and equipment, but such a complex tool requires an experienced engineering team to be effective. Before modernizing operations with forging simulation, manufacturers should assess their organizational readiness to ensure a successful transition. Manufacturing companies must be able to identify areas of opportunity to understand how forging simulation software can fill those gaps.
In a company that’s willing to learn and adapt, forging software promotes rapid growth by optimizing the processes that are already in place. With a centralized system and one program that can perform multiple technical functions, personnel in different functional areas can easily collaborate and share data. This reduces confusion and fosters open communication across the organization.
Forging software also drives innovation by eliminating guesswork and allowing designers to push the boundaries of what’s possible for a given product. Instead of identifying a failure point and working backward to determine the root cause, forging simulation software uses predictive analysis to anticipate defects before they happen. Taking a preventative stance instead of a reactive one recalibrates design teams to search for the most streamlined, reliable design rather than the option with the least risk.
By leveraging digital engineering technology, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on physical prototyping and free up vital resources to pursue unexplored opportunities. This opens the door for ambitious projects like customizing products with high precision levels, boosting revenue without unnecessary risk.
Before choosing a particular type of forging software, manufacturers should carefully consider how each program will fit within their respective business models. Not all benefits or drawbacks necessarily apply to each company. For example, a manufacturer with a subject matter expert on-site who’s familiar with forging software like FORGE® may not worry as much about vendor support for beginning users.
Evaluating forging software for ease of use is essential for large interdepartmental teams that hope to benefit from improved collaboration and communication. If a forging simulation package has a limited number of users permitted in the system, it’s difficult to share data widely in real time.
Additionally, if technical personnel working on a product design want to cooperate with nontechnical staff (i.e., branding specialists), then the program needs to be accessible to both audiences.
Some manufacturers may need more assistance than others after integrating forging software into their production processes. Companies that are considering forging simulation should consider whether the vendor can support the timely resolution of issues or questions.
Though DEFORM shares some of the same metallurgical benefits and open die forging capabilities as the industry-recognized solution FORGE®, it unfortunately falls short in areas such as technical support and on-site visits.
The final and most important element to consider is accuracy. For manufacturers to reap the benefits of forging software, they need to have trust that any data from the forging simulation is valid. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee that the physical product will match the analysis performed in the forging software.
In certain cases, it’s a matter of how much precision a team requires for its routine operations. QFORM, another strong contender in the field of forging software, performs accurate predictive simulations in most instances, but it lacks the fine details and exacting precision of programs like FORGE®, which can lead to major failure on the shop floor.
The decision to invest in forging software can be challenging for manufacturing companies that are already operating well using less advanced digital systems. However, forging simulation software isn’t just about remaining competitive in the present.
As the world continues to experiment with how artificial intelligence and machine learning can revolutionize design, the organizations that embrace emerging technologies will be best equipped to acclimate, pivot, and thrive.