5 Different Types of Metal Forming Processes Although there are many
types of metal forming processes, they can be broadly classified into five main categories:
It is a continuous operation in which a long strip of metal (typically coiled steel) is passed through a series of pairs of rolls or stands, each set performing only an incremental part of the bend until the desired cross-section profile is obtained. Roll forming is performed at room temperature and can be used to form metals into a large variety of different shapes and sizes.
How Can Material Manufacturers and Steel Fabricators take Advantage of Roll Forming? You must consider how steel fabricators and material manufacturers can take advantage of roll forming. Material manufacturers can take advantage of roll forming by using it to produce parts with different physical or mechanical properties. For example, they can use roll forming to produce parts that are more wear-resistant or have a higher strength-to-weight ratio.
In addition, steel fabricators can use roll forming to produce parts with more complex geometry. Fabricators usually have to work with a variety of different metals, including both cold-rolled and hot-rolled metals.
But what if there was a way to use roll forming to create parts from both types of metals?
Well, there is!
In fact, many steel fabricators have already adopted this method and are using it to create special profiles. Roll forming is slightly used in the fabrication industry however; bending is the more dominant method. Fabricators generally use roll-formed products like sheet metal; I, U & H profiles, circular and rectangular hollow sections. These hot-formed products are then fabricated into strut channels, metal door frames, automotive body panels, solar racking, etc.
Advantages: The advantages of roll forming over other metal forming processes include:
- Ability to produce complex shapes with minimum tooling.
- Form metals with high strength-to-weight ratios.
- Versatility in forming a wide range of different metals.
- A continuous process that leads to high production rates.
- Generates little scrap.
- Easy to handle.
Disadvantages: The process also has some disadvantages, including the following:
- Limited to metals that can be cold-rolled.
- Not well suited for metals with high yield strength.