Leoben, Austria

The 20th International Forgemasters Meeting IFM 2017, took place in the Congress Center in Graz, Austria from 11th to 15th September 2017. This traditional event series on the development of large forgings started in 1954, and in 2017 it was organized by the Austrian Society for Metallurgy and Metals (ASMET) for the first time in Austria. 133 presentations attracted more than 480 participants from all over the world.

The program covered worldwide developments in various regions and countries. The main topics were advanced and new forging materials, new production technologies, steelmaking, forging, heat treatment, numerical simulation, plant engineering, and manufacturing of large products for various industrial branches as well as nondestructive testing.

We have selected the following papers for this issue,

BHM 9/2018:

  • Review and recent trends in main topics of IFM-Conferences 1954–2017 and conclusions (Bokelmann)

  • Supersized ESR—Strategies for the further optimization and size increase of the process (Knabl)

  • New forging drive system for radial forging based on double stroke mechanism (Koppensteiner)

  • Manufacture of large disc and ring forgings in Alloy 600 (Baumbach),

  • Materials and manufacturing of container and STEM forgings for the extrusion industry (Zeiler)

  • Direct quenching after forging and inductive re-heating—A new efficient process technology (Hippenstiel)

  • Advanced Teeming System—Development, design, and operational experience with modern high performance ingot casting systems (Redl)

  • Use of regenerative burner systems in batch-wise furnace operation (Tschapowetz)

The conference highlighted the requirements for excellent and reproducible manufacturing in steelmaking and forging as well as testing and quality management. Compared to previous years, it was realized that power generation is no longer the driver of the heavy forging industry. It was replaced by tool steel for automotive industry, special steel for aircraft, oil & gas, and stainless steels. The tremendous competition for orders will lead to reduced capacity in the near future.

Details of all the presentations can be found in the conference proceedings, which can be ordered from ASMET (please contact Yvonne.Dworak@asmet.at).

Bruno Buchmayr

Bruno Hribernik