When researching the different extrusion processes, you may come across impact extrusion. Like all extrusion processes, it involves forcing material through a die. Impact extrusion is unique, however, because it uses an excessive amount of force when compared to other extrusion processes. What is impact extrusion exactly, and how does it differ from other extrusion processes?
Overview of Impact Extrusion
Impact extrusion is an extrusion process used to create metal products and objects via a press. It can be performed either with a mechanical press or a hydraulic press. Regardless, the press is responsible for forcing a metal slug through a die. As the metal slug passes through the die, it’s deformed. This allows manufacturing companies to create new products and objects in the same shape, as well as dimensions, as the die with which it’s used.
How Impact Extrusion Works
To perform impact extrusions, manufacturing companies need either a mechanical or hydraulic press. The metal slug is positioned between a punch and a die. When activated, the press will move the punch down onto the metal slug, thereby forcing the metal slug through the die. The metal slug will then take the physical properties of the die. After the metal slug has been forced through the die, it’s removed via an ejector.
Advantages of Impact Extrusion
Although there are other extrusion processes available, impact extrusion has become a popular choice among manufacturing companies. For starters, it’s considered a cold-working process, meaning manufacturing companies don’t need to heat the metal slug beforehand. The metal slug can be deformed at or near room temperature thanks to the superior power offered by the press machine.
Unlike many other extrusion processes, impact extrusion only requires a single impact. The term “impact” refers to the movement of the press’s punch. During this impact, the metal slug will contour to the shape and dimensions of the die with which it’s used.
Impact extrusion is often used to create fasteners like screws and bolts. To create fasteners such as these, a metal slug with a smooth finish is used. The die, on the other hand, contains a grainy texture that’s responsible for creating the fastener’s external threading.
In Conclusion
Impact extrusion is a manufacturing-related extrusion process that uses a press, along with a punch and die set, to form metal slugs. It involves placing a metal slug between a punch and die, followed by engaging the press so that it forces the metal slug through the die.