What is a metal roll forming machine?
The metal roll forming machines use long strips of metal, most commonly rolled steel, to create specific structures. In most applications, the required cross-section is specially designed for the machine to bend the necessary metal. In addition to roll forming, these machines perform many metalworking tasks, including material cutting and rolling.
In most cases, the metal roll forming machines operate in a continuous cycle. The material is fed into the machine where it is continuously passed through each stage of operation to complete the final product.
What are the roll forming and roll forming processes?
Roll forming is a flexible, responsive and cost-effective alternative to extrusion and stamping, and it is an efficient and effective molding process that provides strict tolerances on complex profiles. Roll forming is a reliable and proven metal forming method, ideal for modern applications. The process uses a continuous bending operation in which long metal strips, usual coils of steel, are passed through a continuous set of rolls at room temperature. Each set of rolls performs an incremental portion of bending to produce the desired cross-sectional profile.
Unlike other metal forming methods, roll forming is inherently flexible. Secondary processes can also be integrated into a production line. Roll molding improves efficiency by eliminating unnecessary handling and equipment while reducing operating and capital costs. Roll forming easily ADAPTS to the integration of secondary operations such as welding, stamping and precision laser cutting to optimize production efficiency.
How does the roll forming machine work?
The metal roll forming machine bends metal at room temperature, using a number of stations in which fixed rollers both guide the metal and make the necessary bending. As the strip passes through the roll forming machine, each set of rollers bends the metal slightly more than the previous roll station.
This progressive method of metal bending ensures that the correct cross-section configuration is achieved while preserving the cross-section area of the workpiece. With typical operating speeds of 30 to 600 feet per minute, roll formers are a good choice for manufacturing large numbers of parts or very long parts.
Roller forming machines are also suitable for manufacturing precision parts that require little, if any, finishing work. In most cases, the final product has an excellent finish and very fine details depending on the shape of the material.
What are the advantages of metal roll forming machines compared with other metal forming processes?
Metal roll forming machines have a large capacity, ultra-precision machining to very strict tolerances, excellent parts uniformity and excellent surface finish. Metal roll forming is more flexible and sensitive than pressure braking or extrusion and ADAPTS to metals with variable surface coating, flexibility and size. Moreover, processing high-strength steel without breaking or tearing allows stronger, lighter structural parts to be made with less steel.
Leading manufacturer of metal roll forming machine
TX Machinery has experience in developing and manufacturing metal roll forming machine for more than 30 years. TX metal roll forming machines are roughly categorized into series below: Roofing series; Door and window frame series; Roller shutter door series; Ceiling system series; Racking/shelving system series and also developed many others types that are too many to be mentioned here like angle iron bending line, adjustable C/U/Z channel/purlin roll forming machine with auto pinching, octagonal roll forming machine, highway guardrail beam roll forming machine, floor deck roll forming machine, drywall roll forming machine (with in-line punch and fling cut-off) etc. You are welcome to inquire with the drawing or sample.