Similar to roll bending, roll forming also uses rollers to achieve a desired shape; however, roll forming is used to produce cross-sectionally uniform bends in sheet metal.
The rollers used in roll forming are positioned along the length of the workpiece. Each roller performs an incremental part of the bend which increases from roller to roller, meaning that once the workpiece has been fed through the entire series of rollers, it will have adopted the required profile.
Roll forming offers plenty of choice when it comes to the materials used. Mild steel is arguably the most common material used within the roll forming process, although aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, bronze and brass are also commonplace.
Roll forming is great for high-volume requirements; however, smaller batches may not prove cost-effective due to associated tooling costs.
Used to produce
Cross-sectionally uniform bends across the entire length of a sheet of metal.
Materials
Roll forming offers plenty of choice when it comes to the materials used. Mild steel is arguably the most common material used within the roll forming process, although aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, bronze and brass are also commonplace.
Advantages
Fast production process.
Great for high volume requirements.
Wide range of materials can be used.
Disadvantages
Smaller batches may not prove cost-effective due to associated tooling costs.
The initial setup time can be lengthy.
