Automotive Roll Forming

The rising demand for fabricated steel parts by the automotive industry is quite understandable. First, steel costs about one-fifth of the price of aluminium when bought in bulk as required by a car manufacturer. Second, the currently available car shapes demand thinner sheet steel which is not only lighter but also cheaper. Lighter steel parts allows for lighter cars which in turn results into greater fuel efficiency. There is yet another reason for greater usage of advanced high strength steel or fabricated high strength low alloy steel in the automotive industry. Most companies dealing in iron and steel industry have substantial experience when it comes to shaping and forming steel compared to the other materials to make vehicle bodies.


Advanced high strength steel or high strength low alloy steel can be effectively fabricated for producing parts used in the automotive industry with the help of roll forming machines. Roll forming is a continuous steel sheet bending process wherein a long strip of steel is made to undergo consecutive sets of rolls or stands, each performing an incremental part of the bend, until the desired cross section shape or profile is achieved. In most cases, advanced high-strength steel types are bent to produce steel with suitable mechanical properties required in the automotive industry. The process used is called the hydro forming process where high water pressure is used to mould the steel over the die. There are different types of roll forming machines available. The final choice depends on the steel specifications of the automobile manufacturer.