Custom Metal Forging Services

Custom metal forging shapes solid metal under compressive force, either hot above the recrystallisation point or cold at close to room temperature. The metal grain flows around the part shape instead of being cut through, which is why forged parts outperform machined and cast equivalents in fatigue and impact. Meco forges to customer drawings rather than from a catalogue, then machines, heat treats, and finishes in the same plants.

Steel drop forgings hold BS EN 10243-1 Class F, which is 0.6 mm up to 50 mm nominal and 1.3 mm at 200 to 300 mm. Aluminum and magnesium follow ASTM B247, with die closure from 0.80 mm plus on small parts. Cold forged parts run tighter, typically 0.05 to 0.2 mm. Where a bore or mating face has to hold tighter, we forge the blank and finish that feature with CNC machining to 0.01 mm.

Hot forging heats the billet to 650 to 1300 C, so the metal flows easily and fills complex cavities with less press force. Cold forging works at ambient up to about 200 C, which work hardens the metal and leaves a bright, accurate surface but limits shape complexity. Hot forging wins on geometry, cold forging wins on finish, accuracy, and unit cost at high volume.

Forging die lead time is 6 to 12 weeks depending on complexity and the number of impressions. Published die prices vary widely across the industry because they describe very different parts, so we do not quote tooling from a table. Send a drawing and you get an itemised tooling and piece price with the DFM notes behind it inside 24 hours. Tooling ownership and amortisation terms are confirmed in writing on that quote.

Meco has no minimum order quantity. In practice, quantities under roughly 200 pieces are usually cheaper machined from billet than forged, because the die has to be paid for before the first part exists. We will tell you which route is cheaper on the quote rather than pushing the tooling.

For the same alloy, yes, in fatigue and impact. Forging refines the grain and aligns its flow with the part contour, and there is no solidification porosity as there can be in a casting. Machining severs the grain wherever it cuts across it. That is why load bearing parts such as knuckles, track links, and gear blanks are forged rather than cast.

Yes, and it is the main reason buyers consolidate here. Heat treatment, CNC machining, surface finishing, and mechanical assembly all run under one IATF 16949:2016 system. You get a finished, inspected part on one purchase order instead of managing four suppliers and the freight between them.

Your design stays yours. Meco provides IP protection and signs NDAs as standard before any drawing review begins, which matters most for brand owners sending a full product rather than a single part. Tooling ownership terms are set out in writing on the quote, so there is nothing to discover later.