Mechanism for forming a hole through a forged workpiece

In a forging press which includes cooperating sets of top and bottom dies for shaping a workpiece heated to a hot forging temperature, the combination therewith of an improved mechanism for forming a hole through the workpiece, said mechanism comprising:

• a male die member in said set of top dies engageable with the upper surface of the workpiece for forming an indentation therein;
• and
• a tubular trepanning tool having at least one sloping face extending around its circumference at its lower end;
• said male die member having tapered circumferential edges matching the sloping face of said tool and being of a diameter substantially equal to the tool diameter, whereby the indentation formed in the workpiece receives the sloping face of said tool and serves to center it;
• said set of top dies being adapted to apply force to said tool to hot-trepan a hole in the workpiece at the indentation before the workpiece is removed from the press following the forging operation.