Net shape forging press and system

A system for flow forging a metal workpiece into a shaped part under the application of continuous pressure comprising in combination;

• a heating station for preheating the metal workpiece, a die assembly, including a male die composed of a plurality of male die segments and a female die, a forging press and a trailing assembly, with the trailing assembly including an hydraulically operated piston drive assembly for transporting the die assembly and heated workpiece from the heating station through the forging press, wherein the forging press comprises:
• a support frame having an upper frame section, a lower frame section and side sections, an upper platen adapted to be suspended from the upper frame section of the support frame with the upper platen comprising a shoulder extending from each opposite side thereof aligned substantially in a horizontal direction in relative close proximity to each side section of the support frame and a tapered inclined surface on each end thereof, a lower platen extending from the lower frame section at a location spaced apart and in parallel alignment to the upper platen, a wedge assembly mounted upon the upper platen in sliding engagement between the upper platen and the upper frame section, an endless roller chain assembly surrounding the upper platen, another endless roller chain assembly surrounding the lower platen with each endless roller chain assembly forming a continuous loop about the upper and lower platen respectively;
• and a motorized worm gear assembly for controllably moving said wedge assembly so that the upper platen moves in a direction relative to the lower platen for controlling the pressure applied to the workpiece as the workpiece is moved with the die assembly in a transport direction between the upper and lower platen such that each of said plurality male die segments is pressed gradually and sequentially against the workpiece into the female die as the die assembly moves through the press.