A fundamental aspect of the course deals with evaluating the characteristics and properties of finished products as a function of the adopted forming technology. Therefore, a detailed analysis will be devoted to the evaluation of the technical/economic aspects, also in terms of the results deriving from quality control. The close contact with the more relevant industrial scenarios, combined with the evaluation of case studies, provides practical content for the course and promotes a continuous update on evolution and technological innovation.

Knowledge related to the properties of metals, their alloys, and their plastic deformation acquired during the BSc.

FOUNDRY Principles of solidification of the alloys. Flow diagram and processing cycle typical of a foundry. Models, shapes and dies, traditional and special forming methods. Gravity casting, centrifugal casting, and die casting. Investment Casting. Squeezecasting, Rheocasting, Thixomolding. General information regarding Mold Casting and continuous casting will be provided as well. Finishing operations and quality control; typical alloys and their fields of application, quality assurance. PLASTIC DEFORMATION Recall the theory of plasticity and the theoretical fundamentals of plastic deformation. Hot, semi-hot and cold deformation. Primary and secondary rolling. Forging, pressing, direct and inverse extrusion, drawing, blanking and forming of thin sheets. Residual stresses and analysis of the most common defects. Alloys for plastic deformation, properties and characteristics of the pieces obtained, quality control. POWDER METALLURGY Production Techniques and characterization of the products Pressing in molds: obtainable shapes and limits. Special compaction processes, cold and hot isostatic pressing. Sintering in furnaces: thermodynamic aspects of the process, furnaces and sintering atmospheres. Metal Injection Molding: characteristics and applications, raw materials and production cycle. FAST Techniques: SPS, EDS, CDS Free-form processes and 3D printing. Additive Manufacturing: main techniques and typical products MACHINING Machining in the manufacturing sequence. Cutting tool classification. Cutting conditions. Chip formation and its morphology. Surface finishing. Different types of machining, typical systems and respective economics SPRAYING Spraying techniques. General rules for spraying processes. Characteristics of different processes and typical microstructures DESIGN CRITERIA AND COST ANALYSIS Technical/economic comparison among the different alternative technologies and selection criteria for process optimization. Cost indexes. Design of a forming process, tools and form factors. The materials' formability, properties and microstructural characteristics will be examined using practical/virtual labs as a function of the different technologies adopted, with the observation and analysis of finished pieces.

Self-assessment sessions will be provided along with the course using an online based platform after each main topic of the course is completed.

Analysis of a set of functional components, with the investigation of the different component parts, examination of the most proper materials for the manufacturing, choice of the molding process and design of the production cycle.

Kalpakjian, Mechanical Technology, Pearson, 2014 J. Beddoes, Principles of Metals Manuafcturing Processes, Elsevier, 2006 A. Salak, Ferrous Powder Metallurgy, Cambridge International Science Pub., 1995 G. Dieter, Mechanical Metallurgy, McGraw.Hill, Tokio, 1988. M.P. Groover, Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing: Materials, Processes, and Systems, Wiley, 2012 Slides used during classes are uploaded on the course portal web. Exercise lessons: practical exercises, materials and plants datasheet, parts of international standards and handbooks are given during front lessons and uploaded on the portal web.

Lecture notes; Text book; Self-assessment tools;

Exam: Written test;

Expected learning results: Comprehension of the topics illustrated and ability to couple the parts' shape, size and material characteristics to the most proper metal-forming process Ability to summarize the most relevant characteristics of each production process and analyze its pros and cons, also in terms of the process economics Criteria, rules and procedures for the exam: The verification of learning takes place through the final examination, which certifies the acquisition of knowledge and skill expectations. In particular, the examination consists of a written test in which the analysis of the specific characteristics of the different manufacturing processes illustrated during the course are considered and discussed. During the course there will be 4 different work group sessions which will be evaluated separately and will wei0gh 10% on the final mark i.e. a maximum of 4 points. The groups and their numerosity will be decided after course kick off

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.