Preform
The forging operation in which stock is preformed or shaped to a predetermined size and contour prior to subsequent die forging operations; the operation may involve drawing,bending,flattening, edging, fullering, rolling or upsetting. The preform operation is not considered to be scheduled operation unless a separate heat is required; usually, when a preform operation is required, it will precede a forging operation and will be performed in conjunction with the forging operation and in the same heat. In ring rolling, a term generally applied to ring blanks of a specific shape to be used for profile (contour) ring rolling.
