Process for eliminating vertical flash on an as-forged connecting rod

A process for manufacturing a connecting rod, comprising:

• forging a preform in a first forging operation to form an as-forged connecting rod having vertical flash extending therefrom;
• forging the vertical flash in a second forging operation to fold the vertical flash onto the as-forged connecting rod and subsequently round the vertical flash to form a radius thereon;
• and
• machining the as-forged connecting rod to predetermined dimensions.

A process for manufacturing a connecting rod, comprising:

• providing a closed forge die;
• placing a heated perform suitable for being formed into the connecting rod into the closed forge die;
• forging the heated perform in a first forging operation while the heated perform is at a forging temperature to form an as-forged connecting rod having vertical flash extending therefrom;
• providing a second forge die having a curved surface;
• placing the as-forged connecting rod into the second forge die and forging the vertical flash in a second forging operation while the as-forged connecting rod is at a temperature approximately equal to the forging temperature so that the curved surface folds the vertical flash onto the as-forged connecting rod and forms a radius on the vertical flash;
• removing the as-forged connecting rod from the second forge die;
• and
• machining the as-forged connecting rod to predetermined dimensions.

A process for manufacturing a connecting rod, comprising:

• providing a first forge die;
• forging a preform in a first forging operation using the first forge die to form an as-forged connecting rod having vertical flash extending therefrom;
• providing a second forge die having a curved surface;
• forging the vertical flash in a second forging operation using the second forge die so that the curved surface folds the vertical flash onto the as-forged connecting rod;
• and
• machining the as-forged connecting rod to predetermined dimensions.