Upsetting

During upsetting, the cross-section of the material increases while its length decreases. Upsetting is used as a preparation for forge welding, punching, or as a decorative element.

Heating:

When upsetting, it is crucial to heat the forging piece briefly and intensely only at the area to be upset. If the heated area is too long, the material can buckle; therefore, the rest of the material should be cooled in water before upsetting. If a bend still occurs, it must be straightened immediately to prevent further deformation.

Other important rules include:

• Rotate the forging piece after each hammer blow to ensure even processing on all sides.

• Longer workpieces must be placed vertically on the anvil.

  There are two techniques:

• Upsetting at the End of the Bar

• Upsetting in the Middle of the Workpiece

Upsetting at the End of the Workpiece

Vertical Upsetting:

Short pieces are placed vertically on the anvil and either worked with a hammer or by striking them against the anvil. The anvil absorbs the force well, resulting in a strong upsetting effect.

Horizontal Upsetting:

The bar is laid flat on the anvil and worked from the end with a hammer. In this process, much of the force is lost because the workpiece is cushioned by the hand. This method is only recommended for longer forging pieces.

Some anvils have an upsetting block at the base, which is also well-suited for longer pieces.

Upsetting in the Middle of the Workpiece

Here, the material is also laid flat on the anvil and worked from the end, or it is struck on the anvil or on a solid steel plate on the floor.

It is especially important to heat the upsetting area thoroughly and deep into the core, as a significant amount of energy is lost during processing