Numerical Simulation and Process Parameter Optimization of Warm Forging Near-Net Forming for Spiral Bevel Gear

The warm-forging technology of the spiral bevel gear (873 K–1073 K) was studied. Based on the rigid–plastic finite element method, a numerical simulation was carried out by using DEFORM V11.0 software to explore the influence of different process parameters on gear-forming quality and forming force in the process of warm forging. Taking into account the complexity of the geometry of spiral bevel gears and the diversity of the influence factors in the forging process, as determined through nine groups of numerical simulation experiments, this paper systematically analyzed the influence law of different forging speeds, die preheating temperatures, friction factors and workpiece heating temperatures on the effective stress and strain of spiral bevel gears. The best combination of process parameters with minimum forging force was obtained via the orthogonal experiment, which provides a theoretical basis for the optimization design of the precision forging process of spiral bevel gears and also provides a new idea for studying the precision-forging–forming process of other complex parts.