Cold forging is the process of choice when a precise result is required when using solid forging. With cold forming, a workpiece is formed at room temperature. In contrast, semi-hot or hot forging requires a temperature in the workpiece between 250°C and 700°C for the machining.
With cold forming, a distinction must be made between cold extrusion and cold solid forging. Cold extrusion is basically the normal and extrusion pressing of sheet metal parts or soft materials such as aluminum. With cold solid forging, prefabricated die-cast parts are pressed into shape. The changeable geometries are considerably smaller than with cold extrusion. Cold solid forging is therefore mainly used for straightening and finishing prefabricated die-cast parts. A typical example of cold solid forging are crankshafts, camshafts or gear shafts from the automotive industry.