Roll forming machines — the title itself does nothing to indicate what exactly a machine named “roll forming” machine does. For the average person, just a passer-by, what do you think a person on the street would guess the machine’s activity to be? Could be anything right? Let’s make it more simple; how many folks do you think would guess that the machine makes a sheet metal seam by folding one sheet over the other?
Roll forming machines, depending on which manufacturer you are looking at, can encompass a considerable number of differing pieces of equipment. For the purpose of this exercise, we will concentrate of what machinery Bud’s Machine Tools offers to the public.
Our list of equipment in this category is quite broad, but please remember, if we don’t show a machine just exactly as you would need it, we can obtain any needed machine or have one modified or built to your custom requirements. We’ve been doing this for some time now folks, and our ability to source anything and everything developed over a long period as we’ve built relationships along the way.
Roll forming machines, also known as roll formers (and sometimes generically as lock formers, though that’s a specific brand name), are essential machines for HVAC contractors and sheet metal fabrication shops.
These machines form the locks that are used to hold various pieces of duct work together. We offer a variety of models for working with different gauges of sheet metal.
For Bud's Machine Tools, the first order of business during our evaluation of a new machine, or line of machines, is determining that the piece is of the utmost quality. Everything else takes a back seat to the measure of quality. We open prospective machines wide and take a good look around. We are looking for stoutness of design, quality components made by somebody people have actually heard of, as well checking for any nuance towards improved design.
The electrics are evaluated for proper layout and industry-accepted minimum design requirements. Safety is of course a paramount concern; safety comes first and if the machine tool lacks what we think is a minimum safety level, we will bounce said machine tool. All that being said, our offering in roll forming machines is fairly concise, and covers what we think are the most popular machines in this category.
In no particular order, we feature T.D.C. flange roll former type machines. These particular roll forming machines can be had in various sizes and have some specific capabilities. These flange roll formers feature 12 to 16 forming stations, h.d. motor and gearbox, and precision long wearing bearings. Additionally, these machines highlight single piece plate head construction with hardened and ground roll shafts. Optionally, these machines can be set up to run T.D.C. clip production in 22- gauge sheet metal.
Next up is our smaller seamer roll forming machine. This machine sports five forming stations and one inboard forming position. This machine forms the Pittsburgh lock profile flange as well as the right-angle flange. This machine has another feature that is a shop time saving capability: it does not need any adjusting in gauge thickness from one thickness to the next and can do 24 gauge and thinner. The machine just described has a bigger brother, which does everything just described as well as forms inboard Pittsburgh flanges and one of three outboard flanges. It also has the capability to mount a optional power flanger to create a 7/32" outside flange. It includes a heavy-duty arc-welded base made from ¾" thick plate.
We also carry high speed 20 gauge “button lock” roll forming machines as well as “collar” type roll forming machines.
Finally, we come to one of our personal favorites, the ever-popular Pittsburgh machines. The entry-level Pittsburgh roll forming machines are fully featured and start at the 24 gauge, portable “Junior Pittsburgh.” The next machine up the pole is also portable, and has a capacity of 22 gauge. The Pittsburgh machines continue through the heavier gauges of sheet metal with machines that roll 20 gauge as well as a machine that rolls both 16 and 18 gauge and is considered to be a heavy-duty Pittsburgh roll former.
We offer many other roll forming machines. Please give us a call and we’ll discuss your needs.
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