forging processes
The various processes in the metalforming practices of forging, such as swaging, open-die forging, automatic hot forging, cogging, impression-die forging, roll forging, upsetting, press forging, and others.
Blacksmiths heat metal, usually steel, in a forge and shape it with a hammer, chisel, and an anvil. Contemporarily, they predominantly create artisanal metal products, including ornamental work, as well as horse shoes, one of the sole metal fabricating processes that has not been industrialised.
Competences and skills
48 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
3 competenceshot forging
The metalworking process of forging whilst the hot metal is right above its recrystallisation temperature after casting and being solidified.
types of metal
Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
Essential skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
10 competencesheat metals
Heat steel and metals in fire; adjust and regulate heat controls to reach appropriate pouring temperature.
join metals
Join together pieces of metal using soldering and welding materials.
load materials into furnace
Load materials in furnace with correct positioning, fastening and levelling when needed.
maintain furnace temperature
Monitor and govern the pyrometer to control the furnace temperature.
measure metal to be heated
Measure the amounts of steel or other metals to be heated. Take decisions on the amount of heat to be used, the duration of the heating, and other variables in the process based on the measurement.
operate furnace
Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting, to produce specified types of steel, or to finish other materials such as cokes. Set furnace controls to regulate temperatures and heating time.
operate metal heating equipment
Use heating machinery to bake filled-up moulds or to melt steel, metal and other materials.
prevent damage in a furnace
Provide damage and risk prevention in a furnace or a smelter.
select filler metal
Select optimal metal used for metal joining purposes, such as zinc, lead or copper metals, specifically for welding, soldering or brazing practices.
shape metal over anvils
Forge pieces of metal over an anvil using the appropriate hand tools and heating equipment.
Cross-sector
6 competencesapply smithing techniques
Apply techniques and use technologies in relation to the various smithing processes, including sculpting, forging, upsetting, heat treating, and finishing.
ensure correct metal temperature
Ensure the necessary, usually constant, temperature of processed metal workpieces during metal fabrication processes.
operate welding equipment
Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
work with blacksmithing hand tools
Work with hammers, chisels, anvils, tongs, vises, forges, and others to create hand-made metal products by performing blacksmithing operations.
work with blacksmithing power tools
Work with drills, air chisels, power hammers, hydraulic presses, grinders, and others to create (semi-)hand-made metal products by performing blacksmithing operations.
Optional knowledge 11 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
7 competencescasting processes
The various practices used in the casting of metal, plastics and other cast materials, including mould filling, solidification, cooling, and others, all relating to varying approaches in case of different types of material.
ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
manufacturing of door furniture from metal
The manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings, furniture, vehicles etc.
manufacturing of tools
The manufacture of knives and cutting blades for machines or for mechanical appliances, hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers etc. The manufacture of non-power-driven agricultural hand tools, saws and saw blades, including circular saw blades and chainsaw blades. The manufacture of interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine tools: drills, punches, milling cutters etc. The manufacture of press tools, moulding boxes and moulds (except ingot moulds), vices and clamps, and blacksmiths’ tools: forges, anvils etc.
non-ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
- Scope note
- Excludes precious metals.
precious metal processing
Various processing methods on precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.
types of metal manufacturing processes
Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
Cross-sector
4 competencescoating substances
The various types of coating, providing a workpiece with one or more finishing layers of resins, powders, inactive and insoluble fillers, waxes, gums, plasticisers, colouring materials, lacquer, and others.
cold forging
The metalworking process of forging whilst hot metal is right below its recrystallisation temperature, being cooled and solidified after casting.
design drawings
The drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
dust usage for forging
The qualities and applications of frit dust, sawdust, coal dust, and others, in the process of hot forging when strewn into dies to ensure the metal workpiece does not stick to the die.
Optional skills and competences 18 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
5 competencesinsert mould structures
Inject molten raw material into a mould to solidify them using cooling systems.
manage time in casting processes
Work on castings with the necessary sense of timing in regards to quality, for example when measuring how long moulds must rest before they are used in further casting processes.
mark designs on metal pieces
Mark or engrave designs on metal pieces or pieces of jewellery, closely following design specifications.
remove finished casts
Open mould and safely remove the finished cast from within.
smooth burred surfaces
Inspect and smooth burred surfaces of steel and metal parts.
Cross-sector
13 competencesapply precision metalworking techniques
Comply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.
apply preliminary treatment to workpieces
Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
cut metal products
Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
ensure equipment availability
Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
fill moulds
Fill up moulds with appropriate materials and ingredient mixes.
mark processed workpiece
Inspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.
monitor gauge
Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
operate precision measuring equipment
Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
produce customised products
Produce goods designed and created to fit the specific needs or request of a customer.
provide customer follow-up services
Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
recognise signs of corrosion
Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
remove scale from metal workpiece
Remove the accumulated scale, or metal 'flakes', on the surface of the metal workpiece caused by oxidation after removal from the furnace by spraying it with an oil-based liquid that will cause it to flake off during the forging process.
supply machine with appropriate tools
Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. Monitor the stock and replenish when needed.