Apparatus for manufacturing parts, and related methods

A forging die for forging a part from a preform, the forging die comprising:

• a first die half, wherein the first die half comprises:
• a first layer cut to form a first portion of a first die cavity;
• a second layer cut to form a second portion of the first die cavity, wherein the first layer and the second layer are configured to be stacked together such that the first portion of the first die cavity and the second portion of the first die cavity are positioned with respect to one another to form the first die cavity;
• and
• a first plurality of fasteners fastening the first layer and the second layer together to form the first die half, wherein each fastener of the first plurality of fasteners extends through at least a portion of each of the first layer and the second layer, wherein each fastener of the first plurality of fasteners is selectively removable from the first die half, and wherein the first plurality of fasteners are sized and placed with respect to the first die half such that the first plurality of fasteners is configured to prevent introduction of material from the preform into spaces between adjacent respective layers of the first die half during forging of the part without bonding, brazing, or welding the first layer and the second layer together;
• and
• a second die half, wherein the second die half and the first die half are configured to cooperate with one another such that the first die cavity faces the second die half and such that the first die cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the preform, and wherein the forging die is configured to forge the part from the preform when the first die half and the second die half are pressed together.