Large amount of research in the area of forging process and parameters optimization have been done by
researchers. Few of them Santos et al. (2001) optimize the die design by taking into consideration shape and size of
the initial billet and predict the forces needed as well as the defect occurrences. Saniee and Hosseini (2006) studied
the effects of flash allowance and bar size on the die filling and required load. The tests were carried out with
Plasticine as the model material. They found that the die filling for the component with horizontal axis of symmetry
was more sensitive to the sizes of the billet and greater the flash allowance, the larger was the forming load and
energy.Gangopadhyay et al. (2011)uses three-dimensional finite element analysis DEFORM 3D software on
multistage hot forming of railway wheels involving the processes of upsetting, forging, and punching of wheels.
This study shows that design, optimization, and analysis of process perturbations for multi-stage railway wheel
manufacturing process can be done efficiently in three-dimensional finite element simulations instead of
conventional time and cost intensive trials. Satish et al. (2007)uses FEM-based computer simulation to optimize the
design parameters and input billet cross-section for front axle beam. By carrying out multiple number of forging
experiments during simulation trials, input billet size has been optimized. Srivastava et al. (2004)studied the effect
of billet temperature, die velocity and coefficient of friction on forging load and strain rate by using FEM based
FORGE2R. These works reveal the performance of the die and hence product quality is heavily dependent on
various parameters which can be broadly divided into two groups that are design parameter and process parameter.
Design parameters such as flash thickness, flash width, corner radius, fillet radius etc represent the geometrical
aspect of the die and are important for die modeling stage. Whereas process parameters like billet temperature, die
temperature, friction coefficient, die velocity, strain rate etc are related to the forging process condition. During the
die design and process planning stage it is necessary to estimate proper values of these parameters to avoid
unexpected die failure and inadequate die filling. Most of the researchers consider these design and process
variables separately and did not study their combine influence on process performance. To fill this gap present work
concentrate on the study of effect of above mention design and process parameters along with their interaction on
the forging load (FL) and Billet temperature loss (dT). Spring saddle of an automobile is taken as an example
product and Taguchi experimental method is utilized to design the parameter combinations so as to identify the
relative influence of each parameter on the studied responses. As the real-time forging is time consuming and costly
therefore FEM based DEFORMTM 3D software is used for simulating forging process. For simulation purpose 3D
(three-dimensional) solid model of spring saddle and its bottom and top die (Fig. 1) are modelled in CATIA V5
software. The material of spring saddle is AISI 1035 alloy steel, whereas Tool Steel DIN 1.2714 die steel is used as
die material and their properties are given in Table 1.