In metal fabrication, rolling, also known as roll bending, is an efficient and versatile metalworking process used to bend metal sheets, tubes, and beams into curves or complete circles. It is a popular technique in a number of industries, including automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction.
By utilizing sets of rolls, you can shape the metal into the desired curvature and thickness. There are a few different types of roll bending, each with different applications. These include the following:
- Hot Rolling vs. Cold Rolling: Generally, larger pieces of metal undergo what is referred to as hot rolling, in which the roll bending occurs at a temperature higher than the recrystallization temperature of the material being rolled. On the other hand, cold rolling occurs at a temperature below this point. While hot rolling generally results in a rougher outcome that requires further metalworking prior to subsequent steps in the fabrication process, cold-rolled pieces of metal generally come out shiny and smooth.
- Roll Bending vs. Roll Forming: The term “roll bending” generally refers to simply producing a smooth and uniform bend in a piece of metal. However, more often than not, more complicated shapes are desired for different projects. Roll forming often produces systems with multiple consecutive rolls, engineered so that when a piece of metal passes through them, it comes out with multiple bends to achieve the desired shape.
Depending on your specific project’s needs, you may need multiple types of roll bending for different pieces of metal. To find out more or to discuss your specific project’s requirements, call our team of professionals today at AccuSpec Fabrication. We would be happy to help you realize your vision.