Intelligent Forging Driven by Mechanism–Data–Knowledge Fusion: A Review

Forging is a key manufacturing route for high-performance structural components, but its process design, quality prediction, and adaptive control still rely heavily on empirical rules, offline simulations, and fragmented production data. This review examines intelligent forging from the perspective of mechanism–data–knowledge fusion, with emphasis on forging-specific process chains, real alloy systems, model validation, and industrial maturity. To improve methodological traceability, a structured literature search was conducted using Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar, covering studies published from 1996 to 2026. The screened literature was organized around process perception, mechanism-based modeling, data-driven learning, hybrid modeling, knowledge representation, digital twins, online prediction, and adaptive regulation. Representative cases are discussed for closed-die forging, open-die/large forging, multistage forging, radial forging, and forging of aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, steels, and Ni-based superalloys. Particular attention is given to how specific models are validated, including independent experiments, finite-element benchmarks, industrial datasets, new geometries, sensor noise, and cross-material or cross-equipment transfer. The review further distinguishes consolidated technologies, such as FEM-based process simulation and die/preform optimization, from methods still under validation, including hybrid digital twins, sensor-updated models, and adaptive control. Large-model-assisted forging is considered a prospective direction mainly for information retrieval, case recovery, diagnostic support, and engineer-supervised recommendation rather than unsupervised real-time control. This review provides a more process-specific and critically assessed reference for developing explainable, validated, and deployable intelligent forging systems.