Finite Element Analysis of the Forging Process for Half-shaft Bushing

As an important forged part of an automobile, the inner hole of the half-shaft bushing must be formed directly. However, the process requires many steps, and how the forging, or deformation, is spread over the production steps directly affects the die life and forging force required. In this paper, the three steps involved in directly forging a half shaft bushing's inner hole are simulated using the two-dimensional finite element method. Further more, we improve the forging process. From numerical calculation, the improved necessary forging force is found to be only half the original force, and the die life is doubled.