3. Application of decision support systems to control a forging process

3.1 Issues

Forging production rates are relatively high compared to other manufacturing processes. Monitoring production by statistical inspection of parts can therefore generate a high volume of rejects, as the number of parts manufactured between two inspections can be several dozen. In the case of forging very small batches of parts (or even single parts when the forging process is the only way to obtain the specified characteristics, as in the case of ship shafts, for example), it is more the material input and added value than the production rate that are a cost to the company in the event of non-conformity during part inspection. In this context, measuring parts as they are being manufactured would enable real-time monitoring of production to limit rejects, and even adjust the...