A swaging machine is used to form metal rod, tube or wire by applying a series of cold hammer blows. This cold forging process is a low-cost, efficient and chip less way to point rod or tube. Swaging machines are also capable of sizing, reducing, shaping, tapering and bonding metal pieces. These machines are capable of working on various shapes, sizes and materials including ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
There are several different types of swaging machines available to meet the needs of various applications. Three of the most common are rotary, creeping spindle and long die swagers. Each has its own specific uses. A rotary swaging machine is often used for end forming and can work on a variety of sizes and designs. Rotary swaging uses two or four dies that split and close up to 2,000 times per minute. The dies are mounted on a spindle that is located inside a cage of rollers (looks like a roll bearing) and rotated by a motor. The dies are larger than the cage so as the spindle and cage rotate the rollers push the dies together through centrifugal force.
Long die swagers are capable of swaging tube that is up to 24” in length. This type of swager is commonly used in the aerospace industry to create parts like tubing for cartridge heaters. Long die swagers can also be used for end forming. In this application, a single piece of tubing is swaged to a specific depth and then reduced to the required diameter. This allows the tube to perform subsequent operations such as drilling, drawing or tapping.
Compared to crimping, swaging produces a stronger and more secure joint. This is because the swaging tool grips the pintail, which is the extra portion of collar material protruding past the head. The swaging tool then pushes the pintail down into the grooves of the harder collar material to form an inverted cone shape. This creates a strong and durable connection that can withstand the pressure of an oil pipeline or aircraft engine.
Another advantage of swaging is that it is more accurate than other cold forging processes. It is possible to control the wall thickness of a swaged part by using a mandrel. A mandrel is a cylindrical piece of stock that resembles the shape of the workpiece and can be turned as the swaging process continues. This can result in consistent wall thickness and a more uniform swage. This can help to ensure that the finished product will be of high quality and have the desired performance. It is also important to make sure that the swaging tools and dies are kept clean and free of corrosion to prevent premature wear and to maximize the life of the equipment. The swaging tools and dies need to be checked regularly and replaced when needed to guarantee accurate and quality formed swaged products. This will help to reduce downtime and production time.