Fully integrated forging line to increase production capacity
Huzhou Jiuli Yongxing High Performance Metals Co., Ltd., a joint venture subsidiary of Jiuli Hi-Tech, has placed an order with SMS group in 2025 to supply a 63/71-meganewton two-column push-down open-die forging press.
The 63/71-meganewton two-column push-down open-die forging press will be installed at Jiuli Yongxing’s Huzhou City site in a newly constructed facility, solidifying the company’s strategy to increase production capabilities and further enhance its competitiveness in high-performance industries.
Once the new forging press goes into operation, it will enable Jiuli Yongxing to forge a wide range of products, including round bars, plates, and tubes with a weight of up to 23 tons and a maximum length of 15 meters. The press is capable of fully automatic operation, enabled by software solutions that provide a comprehensive materials database and pre-calculated pass schedules, thus ensuring precise process control.
The press will utilize an open-die forging process that improves the microstructural quality of materials through grain refinement, enhancing overall material performance. This process is particularly effective for preparing cast ingots in an upsetting stage, which ensures uniform deformation to the material core. The forging accuracy of approximately ±1 millimeter ensures highly precise final products. The pre-deformed ingots will then undergo final forging on Jiuli Yongxing’s existing SMX 900 / 18 MN radial forging machine, also supplied by SMS in 2019.
The new press and radial forging machine will form a fully integrated forging line. The forging frequency can reach up to 122 strokes per minute, enabling high productivity rates.
The new press is based on the three-point X-guiding technology, a precision system used in forging presses that employs three guiding points in an “X” configuration to ensure accurate alignment and consistent pressure distribution. This integration enhances the precision and efficiency of the forging process, supporting Jiuli’s goal of expanding its production capabilities.
The installed Forgebase® Technology Suite software, with its comprehensive materials database, ensures reproducible forging strategies. The software includes pre-calculated pass schedules, enabling the process control and visualization systems to execute reproducible forging processes.
This new project not only sets a benchmark as a fully integrated forging line with complete process control but also strengthens the long-term cooperation between Jiuli Group and SMS on full lifetime service including engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, training, maintenance and spare parts.
Main data
- Max. upsetting force: 71 MN
- Max. forging force: 63 MN