Application Guide

Cold Forging Presses for Fastener Production

Choose knuckle joint presses for precise cold forming of bolts, nuts, rivets, and fastener blanks, and eccentric presses for simpler cold heading or secondary operations. Used presses from European factories give fastener manufacturers proven equipment at lower capital cost than new. Match press force, stroke rate, shut height, and feeder setup to the fastener diameter and material.

Published: 22 Jun 2026 · Updated: 23 Jul 2026

What Is Cold Forging for Fasteners?

What cold forging produces

Bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, pins, and precision blanks are cold-forged from wire or rod at room temperature. The process produces accurate dimensions and good surface finish without heating.

Advantages over machining

Cold forging produces the grain flow that gives fasteners their strength. Machining cuts through grain; forging aligns it with the part geometry, increasing fatigue life.

Material

Standard fastener-grade steel wire (1008, 1022, 10B21) is the primary material. Stainless and aluminium alloys are also cold-forged on similar equipment.

Volume and speed

Cold forging presses for fasteners run at 30-120 strokes per minute. Production rates of 50-300 parts per minute are achieved on multi-station headers, but single-station knuckle joint presses also handle fastener blanks.

Why Use Knuckle Joint Presses for Fasteners?

Working principle

The knuckle joint mechanism gives a very high force over a short final stroke with a gentle approach speed. This suits coining and cold extrusion where final dimensional accuracy matters.

Barnaul KB-series

Barnaul KB8336 (400 t), KB8340 (1000 t), and KB8342 (1600 t) presses are widely used in Eastern European fastener plants. Spare parts are available.

TMP Voronezh K504 series

The K504 knuckle joint presses in the 1000-2500 tonne range handle large fastener blanks and precision cold extrusion parts.

Stroke adjustment

Knuckle joint presses have limited stroke adjustment compared to eccentric presses. Confirm the stroke suits your die set before purchase.

Why Use Eccentric Presses for Fasteners?

Smeral LKE and LE series

Smeral eccentric presses are commonly used for fastener blanking, piercing, and heading. The LKE and LE series in 250-630 tonne range are well-suited to this work.

Adjustable stroke

Eccentric presses typically allow stroke adjustment, giving more flexibility when running different fastener families on one press.

Die compatibility

Confirm die height, T-slot dimensions, and knockout system compatibility with your existing tooling before purchase.

Speed range

Eccentric presses for fasteners typically run at 30-80 spm. Higher speeds require careful press and die maintenance to maintain part quality.

What Are the Key Specifications for Fastener Presses?

Nominal force

Match press tonnage to the forming force required for your largest fastener. Cold forging forces are higher than hot forging for the same part volume; under-spec presses wear out clutches and bearings quickly.

Shut height

The shut height must accommodate your die set with working allowance. Measure the closed die height and confirm it is within the press adjustment range.

Guide clearance

Fastener production requires tight dimensional tolerances. Presses with worn guides produce out-of-tolerance parts. Check guide clearance during inspection.

Production rate

Confirm the press can sustain required spm continuously during a full production shift, not just during testing.

Why Buy Used for Fastener Production?

Capital efficiency

A used 400-1000 tonne knuckle joint press represents a fraction of the cost of an equivalent new machine. Value depends on condition, completeness and documentation; see the forging press price guide for the full breakdown.

Proven designs

Barnaul and TMP Voronezh knuckle joint presses have run in fastener plants for 30-40 years. Their maintenance requirements are well understood.

European supply

Presses sourced in Poland are within the EU. Short transport distances, CMR documentation, no import duties for EU buyers.

Fast availability

Nominal force400 t

LocationEurope

StatusSold

Details

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What press tonnage is needed for bolt forging?

For M8-M16 standard bolts in medium-carbon steel, a 400-630 tonne knuckle joint press is typical. For M20-M36 high-strength bolts, 800-1600 tonnes. The required force depends on material, blank volume, and die geometry.

Can a used Barnaul knuckle joint press run at automotive fastener quality levels?

Yes. Barnaul KB-series presses are used in automotive fastener production in Poland and Eastern Europe. The press itself does not determine quality; tooling condition and process control do.

What is the difference between a knuckle joint press and an eccentric press for fasteners?

A knuckle joint press delivers very high force near bottom dead centre with good repeatability - ideal for coining and precision blanks. An eccentric press has a more uniform force curve and adjustable stroke, giving more versatility across different fastener families.

Are spare parts available for Barnaul and TMP Voronezh knuckle joint presses?

Yes. Clutch linings, brake pads, bearings, and guide bushings are available from specialist suppliers in Poland, Czech Republic, and directly from successor manufacturers in Russia and Ukraine (availability varies by current logistics).

Can TRIGA arrange under-power testing of knuckle joint presses?

For most machines we can arrange a powered test run at the storage site and confirm clutch engagement, brake function, and slide operation before purchase.

What tooling information should I prepare before buying a used knuckle joint press?

Closed die height, bolster dimensions and T-slot pattern, knockout position and stroke, and required stroke length. Bring drawings or measurements of your existing die set to compare against the press specification.

For the full range of cold forging presses, not limited to fastener production, see our cold forging & cold extrusion presses for sale, our knuckle joint presses category, or our coining presses for precision sizing and calibration.

Looking for a specific machine?

Send us your specifications and we will advise on availability, inspection options and delivery.

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