| Since the discover by ancient peoples that metal can | | | | A roll forming machine will shape a piece of metal into |
| be liberated by applying heat to rock ore, methods | | | | a specified cross-section profile. Simply put, a |
| for extracting and manipulating metal materials have | | | | cross-section profile refers to the desired result, in |
| been rapidly refined. The interest in metal working is | | | | other words, the concluding shape of the metal. A |
| sparked by modern society's need for metal | | | | variety of cross-section profiles can be obtained |
| products and tools. It seems like everything from | | | | through roll forming. Each desired shape, however, will |
| household tools to automobiles and skyscrapers are | | | | require a specifically crafted roll tool. For example, on |
| products of metal forming. Today's population has | | | | roll forming machine cannot produce a variety of |
| become dependent on metal to complete daily tasks | | | | differently shaped metal. One machine will produce a |
| and function in society. For that reason, metal | | | | specific form. If another form is desired a new |
| forming has become and increasingly important trade. | | | | carefully crafted set of roll tools will be required. It |
| Roll forming is one method of metal forming. It is | | | | may seem silly to possess a machine that only |
| important to note that rollform can be written as | | | | shapes metal into one form. One must remember, |
| either one word or separated into two words. These | | | | however, that roll forming machines are intended for |
| two forms of using the word "roll form" will be used | | | | industrialized purposes. Factories such as automobile |
| interchangeably throughout this article. The art of roll | | | | plants or factories that produce aluminum cans |
| forming is a continuous process. A roll forming | | | | require machines to make the same bends in the |
| machine consists of several sets of consecutive rolls. | | | | metal without requiring change. |
| Each set of rolls is called a stand. As the metal | | | | Several different types of roll forming machinery can |
| passes through each stand it is only bent slightly. | | | | be purchased and developed to fit the cross-section |
| Therefore, each stand only incrementally contributes | | | | specifications that are required. Some examples of roll |
| to the desired specification of the metal. The metal | | | | forming machinery include rollforming presses, Stud |
| piece will continue rolling through the roll forming | | | | and Track Rollformers, Purlinmaster Rollformers, |
| machine, being manipulated by each stand, until it | | | | Greenfield Stud Rollforming Lines, and Workhorse |
| reaches the desired cross-section profile. The practice | | | | Series Rollformers. Rollforming machinery are also |
| of roll forming is best used when making parts with | | | | used in a variety of industries including building |
| long lengths. Roll forming is a common way to form | | | | construction, garage doors, automotive, shelving and |
| objects out of sheet metal. | | | | complex parts. |