Cold roll forming is a metal forming process that involves shaping metal materials into desired profiles or shapes through a series of gradual bends and passes, without heating the material.
The procedure is generally as follows: the raw material is loaded onto the cold roll forming machine and continuously fed into the machine where a series of rollers gradually shape the material into the desired profile. The process can create complex shapes with precise tolerances, making it ideal for the mass production of various complex and intricate metal parts.
Cold forming vs hot forming
Cold forming and hot forming are two common metal forming techniques. Hot forming, as the name suggests, involves heating the metal material to high temperatures before shaping it, while cold forming takes place at or near room temperature without applying any heat.
While both processes can produce parts of high quality, cold forming is preferred for complex shapes while hot forming excels at making simpler, larger shapes. When it comes to producing intricate shapes with precise tolerances, cold roll forming is the preferred technique.
Two ypes of cold forming process
There are two main types of cold forming processes:
- Extrusion Cold Forming: This is a process of shaping metal materials by forcing them through a die. The extrusion process produces a semi-finished product that can be finished to form the final product.
Extruded parts are durable and can withstand high stresses, making them ideal for applications where strength and durability are critical. The process is also widely used in the production of metal bars, pipes, and rods, as well as automotive chassis and frames. - Roll Cold Forming: This is a process of shaping metal materials into continuous profiles by passing them through a series of rollers. Roll forming machines are designed to work with large reels or sheets of metal which can be shaped into a wide variety of profiles like angles, Z-sections, channels and others.
With roll forming, material scraps are minimal, conserving material and thus reducing the overall cost of production. Roll forming is widely used in the production of metal roofing sheets, facades, and other products that require complex shapes and consistent quality.
Cold forming is often preferred over hot forming for manufacturing metal parts because it can produce parts with greater precision, tighter tolerances, and improved surface finishes. The process is also more cost-effective and efficient as it reduces scrap waste and can produce more parts in less time.
Classic example of a cold forming
A classic example of a cold forming process is the production of steel roof panels through cold roll forming machines. These machines pass flat sheets of metal through a series of rollers, gradually forming them into the desired shape of a roof panel. Other examples of cold forming processes include the making of automotive parts, construction materials and household appliances.
Type of cold forming machines
Cold roll forming machines come in various types, and each is designed to meet specific manufacturing needs. Some common examples include embossing machines, roll forming machines, extrusion machines, swaging machines, and bending machines.
Embossing machines are used to create decorative patterns and designs on metal parts or sheets. Roll forming machines and extrusion machines are used to shape materials with complex profiles, while swaging machines and bending machines are used for shaping cylindrical metal parts like pipes and rods.
Final words
Cold roll forming is an important manufacturing process that has revolutionized the way we produce metal parts. It is a cost-effective and efficient process that can produce complex shapes with high precision and tight tolerances. The process has various applications in different industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and household appliances. Cold roll forming machines come in different types, and each is designed to meet specific manufacturing needs, making them essential tools in modern manufacturing.
