Benefits of high quality roll tooling

The fabrication of steel studs and tracks has become almost common place.  From portable lines to high-speed fully automated machines steel framing components are now produced at great numbers.

How to increase production of roll formed products?

Many steel building components are manufactured through the process of cold forming.  This process uses 'cold' sheet metal coils feed through a rolling mill where roll tooling bends and shapes the flat metal in to a specific shape.  Although simple in theory the process is quite complex.  One of the easiest ways to increase production rates is by having quality roll tooling engineered for rollformers.

Roll former roll tooling

Understanding the specific heat, vibration and wavering requirements of tooling used in the roll former lines is key to manufacturing high quality tooling.  Companies that manufacture both the equipment and tooling and stands have a better capability of supplying the correct parts for your machine.

The benefits of quality machined roll tooling are:

• Reduced web rippling
• Longer life
• Lower maintenance
• Improved 'fit'

The key is having a roll tooling supplier who understands the requirements of rollforming.  Not all machine shops are capable of producing precision tooling for the metal forming process.

Roll forming deck line machinery adds strength to steel framing projects

Steel framing buildings are designed to take advantage of the inherent benefits of metal components.  One such component is the steel decking.  Steel deck is manufactured through a cold forming process called deck line roll forming.  Sheet metal coils are feed in to a forming mill with progressive roll tooling stands that bend and shape the flat coil sheet in to a specific profile.  Steel deck material is engineered to take advantage of both the depth of the deck as well the ribbing of the deck walls.

Advantages of roll forming decking materials

Manufacturers of metal decking materials are always challenged with how to improve their product.  Providing improved structural integrity, design flexibility and just in time delivery are all major concerns for buyers.  Having the ability to switch between different design requirements such as material thickness and deck depth and width can mean the difference between staying in business or selling your equipment on the used market.

Top features

1. Wide range in material thickness
2. Narrow and wide profile designs
3. Easily replaceable tooling with cassettes or rafts

Learn more on how roof, floor, bridge and composite decking material is roll formed from Metform International.

What type of roll forming equipment is best for the job site?

The demand for building materials on a commercial construction site is always high.  Buyers will do their best to predict and have available all the materials needed to complete the job on time and on budget.  But what if you could have the manufacturing onsite?

On site roll forming equipment

Commercial projects most often use steel studs and tracks when constructing steel buildings. In order to meet this demand there are two types of roll forming equipment used.  The first is to have the steel framing manufactured in a factory.  This would require an industrial level rollforming machine such as the Samco Greenfield studmaker.  This machine can manufacture virtually all the required stud sizes including structural steel. It also has the ability to stack and bundle the studs for easy transportation.

But what if you need the materials as you build?

This is where portable steel framing machines come in.  This type of roll forming equipment can produce the same stud sizes as the industrial grade machine. There are a few differences with these types of machines.

Comparison between portable and industrial rollformers

• Cost
• Accuracy
• Speed
• Profile design requirements
• Cost per piece
• Maintenance
• Parts avaliabilty

So when trying to decide between onsite stud manufacturing and onite make sure you fully understand the difference in the types of roll forming machines.