They do not want to spend inordinate amounts of time in set-up, preferring pre-tooled systems.
Rolling of sheet metal is the bending continually of the piece along a linear axis.
Any forming machinery that can increase production serves a company well. Technologically advanced machinery, which produces accurate, quality work, will keep a company profitable. This could be a round rod, a tank, a pipe, or a cylinder.
First, as an overview, there are two types of rolling performed on basic steel. A machine that can handle these different types with minimum set-up time for each is valuable. Advanced machinery that can handle different roll widths with quick re-tooling are desired. They also maintain the integrity of the material. In both processes, steel passes through a set, or sets, of rollers. Today's sheet metal fabricating machines can utilize more than one tooling set. That's a great example of retooling time eliminated.
One product from flat rolling is sheet or strip metal.
This product, steel now in a thinner flat state, is part of our everyday life. Today's manufacturers want sheet metal forming systems that offer both. Another product from this type of rolling is plate steel; of a thickness 3/8" or greater.Steel in its basic slab form requires rolling processes to enable its formation into sheet metal form.
From a technology standpoint, sheet metal fabricators look for versatility in fabricating machinery. These two types produce final products that differ greatly from each other. These separate tooling sets can run alongside each other with different cut-offs and form presses. They want machines that can form continuously, dependably and fast. One is flat rolling the other is profile rolling.
Another important consideration, in forming parts or pieces, is the elimination of poor quality pieces. Different roll forming machines prepare this material for the different products it will comprise. Poor quality pieces become scrap, which means salable output is less and costs are greater. They want high output for efficiency. They want machines that can handle a changeover quickly so excessive downtime is not an issue. Once in this form it can receive more rolling to alter its thickness further.
Improved automation of the fabrication process is one contributor to reducing downtime. State-of-the-art metal forming processes produce work within required specifications. To get sheet metal to this state, roll forming takes place upon it. The material receives progressive shaping and contouring as it passes through a pathway of rollers. There are different sizes and types of sheets that require manipulation.
Modern machines that handle the forming minimize the actual human handling of the metal.
Profile rolling produces a final product of a rounded rolled shape. A system that minimizes inventory usage through scrap reduction is beneficial to the profit picture. A new consideration to manufacturers today is the minimizing of downtime from the set-up of these machines. This causes alteration of the original form of the sheet; it Air duct corner becomes deformed. This way they can run through different types and sizes of sheet metal on one machine. From the outside metal of your car, to the roof above your head, its uses are varied.