Sakamura Machine Company is the manufacturer of horizontal multi-station forging machines known as formers.

As a forging machine, one of the greatest features of a former is its material cutting function.

For example, in a press machine, material (such as bar material) is cut and heat treated, and a surface (lubrication) process is conducted. Slugs, which are made for a press, must be placed in the press after they are manufactured.
Formers cut coil or bar materials inside the machine to a predetermined size and shape. The cutoff blank is transferred, “as is,” through the transfer process. Through multiple processes, crude material is turned into precision parts.
One of the greatest features of a former is its transport device, also called a transfer system.
Compared to press machines, formers are capable of high speed production.

Comparison to Machining

Let’s think about making something with a rod-shaped, fibrous material, like a bolt. The fiber flow of a product that is made by machining is cut, while the fiber flow is continuous in products made by plasticity deformation/forging.
Therefore, when using a machined bolt, there is tensile stress in the corner between the head and the shank, causing the bolt’s fiber to be pulled at right angles. This makes the bolt susceptible to fatigue fractures and shock. Plasticity deformation (forged products), however, are merited for their strength in this area.