Rollformer Machines
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Automotive Roll Forming Machines and Processes
Automotive roll forming machines are an integral part of the parts manufacturing process in today's modern production environment. These large machines take flat rolled steel and form or bend it in to a range of automobile parts. Everything from bumpers, window glides to rocker's and other support sections in the chassis. By rollforming these parts rather than brake pressing or stamping them parts suppliers (tier 1) can offer higher volume, higher quality at a lower cost.
So exactly how does a roll former bend steel in to complex parts?
By slowly bending the metal as it moves through roll tooling the part is formed. Each stand (the section that holds the shaft and rolls) is called a pass. Each pass slightly bends and forms the metal sheet as it passes through the roll former machine. Automotive parts companies often use these machines to form multiple parts on the same line. This efficiency and ability to produce more then one profile is a huge advantage to any automotive tier 1 parts supplier. The number of stands needed to form the part is largely determined by the end product. Auto manufacturers require a highly repeatable and precious profile shape. Automotive roll forming machines provide this over and over.
So exactly how does a roll former bend steel in to complex parts?
By slowly bending the metal as it moves through roll tooling the part is formed. Each stand (the section that holds the shaft and rolls) is called a pass. Each pass slightly bends and forms the metal sheet as it passes through the roll former machine. Automotive parts companies often use these machines to form multiple parts on the same line. This efficiency and ability to produce more then one profile is a huge advantage to any automotive tier 1 parts supplier. The number of stands needed to form the part is largely determined by the end product. Auto manufacturers require a highly repeatable and precious profile shape. Automotive roll forming machines provide this over and over.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Is Automotive Roll Forming an Art Form in an Engineering Process?
If you have ever been in a manufacturing plant you will see all kinds of machinery. If you think about it, everything you see has been made. Very seldom do you have anything in the raw form. Even most organic food has been handled and packaged to get to you. There are television shows based entirely on how things are made and it is fascinating. They show how cars are made including the automotive roll forming process prior to the typical automotive assembly line we're accustomed to seeing. They show how raw materials are made into the products that can then be made into more refined products.
When looking at some of these processes the question always comes to mind, how much of it is art and how much science and engineering. Maybe it can even go into the realm of a mix. It can be art and science. After all, isn't a growing flower both? The uncoiling of a Jasmine plant is fascinating as is watching an uncoiler spinning off strands of coiled copper wire in a manufacturing plant. They both require perfect timing and incredible engineering. Most people watching a time lapse video of a plant growing don't think about how the stresses and strains of gravity and other forces of Mother Nature impact the ability to produce such beauty and intricacy. However, if you are an engineer in the manufacturing world, you may very well ask those questions when looking at a growing plant.
If you are a creator of bending machines then you may be paying attention to how the earth bends and molds itself into mountains and how old pine trees stay bent over for decades to be some of the oldest trees on earth yet remain so in often harsh conditions. To see the beauty of art and form in manufacturing equipment may be a stretch but then enjoying your surroundings is much less stressful than looking at everything as just another piece of metal.
When looking at some of these processes the question always comes to mind, how much of it is art and how much science and engineering. Maybe it can even go into the realm of a mix. It can be art and science. After all, isn't a growing flower both? The uncoiling of a Jasmine plant is fascinating as is watching an uncoiler spinning off strands of coiled copper wire in a manufacturing plant. They both require perfect timing and incredible engineering. Most people watching a time lapse video of a plant growing don't think about how the stresses and strains of gravity and other forces of Mother Nature impact the ability to produce such beauty and intricacy. However, if you are an engineer in the manufacturing world, you may very well ask those questions when looking at a growing plant.
If you are a creator of bending machines then you may be paying attention to how the earth bends and molds itself into mountains and how old pine trees stay bent over for decades to be some of the oldest trees on earth yet remain so in often harsh conditions. To see the beauty of art and form in manufacturing equipment may be a stretch but then enjoying your surroundings is much less stressful than looking at everything as just another piece of metal.
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