自由锻都是以生产批量不大的锻件为主，采用锻锤、液压机等锻造设备对坯料进行成形加工，获得合格锻件。 自由锻的基本工序包括镦粗、拔长、冲孔、切割、弯曲、扭转、错移及锻接等。自由锻采取的都是热锻方式。

Free forging is in the production of small quantities of forgings, the forging, hydraulic press forging equipment is carried out on the blank forming process, obtain qualified forgings. The basic process of free forging including upsetting, stretching, punching, cutting, bending, torsion, displacement and welding etc.. The free forging is all hot forging.

自由锻生产率低，加工余量大，但工具简单，通用性大，故被广泛用于锻造形状较简单的单件、小批生产的锻件。自由锻设备有空气锤、蒸汽-空气锤和水压机等，分别适合小、中和大型锻件的生产。

Free forging has many advantages such as low productivity, large machining allowance, but simple tool and versatility. So it is widely used for forging single piece and small batch forgings with simpler shape. The free forging equipments include air hammer, steam air hammer and hydraulic press, etc., which are suitable for the production of small and medium heavy forgings, respectively.

自由锻造分手工自由锻和机器自由锻。手工自由锻生产效率低，劳动强度大，仅用于修配或简单、小型、小批锻件的生产。

Manual free forging is inefficient and labor intensive. It is only used for the production of repair or simple, small and small forgings.Free forging cists of manual free forging and machine free forging.