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When roll forming machine manufacturers are trying to make an important decision on what products they are going to make next, an important consideration they have to keep in mind is the ideal mill configuration that will ensure that they are getting the best end result. Roll forming machine manufacturers also have to make decisions regarding the right timing for the cut-off as well as what type of materials to be used for roll forming – pre-cut and post-cut. In the case of pre-cut materials, before they are fed into the roll forming machine they must be cut into strips first while post-cut materials are fed into the roll forming machine first to achieve its shape before it is cut into the desired size. Whatever choice the roll forming machine manufacturer opts for, there are pros and cons to each. We’ll list some of these below.

Pros of post-cut roll form:

• The production is higher while downtime is reduced because the material is sent to the machine at a continuous pace.
• The material typically requires no self-threading, so less forming stations are needed.
• Once thes new coil has been threaded, there is no chance that the edge of the material will be warped.
• Tools do not easily wear because of reconditioning, which results to a more uniform footage.

Cons of post-cut roll form:

• The material leaving the cut-off die sometimes has a slight burr or deformation in the material’s cross section.
• A higher number of die inserts is necessary for the cut-off, especially if a certain product requires many different combinations and sizes.
• If the component contains a complex notched feature, then pre-cut form is recommended.
• In cases where pre-notching is required, the mill system needs added capital in order to aid it.

Pros of pre-cut roll form:

• In general, this process is more cost-efficient because the same electronic feed system is used during the pre-shear process, instead of requiring another post-cut press at the mill’s end.
• The strip when fed into the machine by hand is an economical approach, especially for low-volume production.
• Product that requires notch configuration is more convenient to handle.

Cons of pre-cut roll form:

• Strips must undergo self-threading to make sure that there are no deformations in the edges; another forming station is normally added.
• Because the lead as well the trail ends of the strips have no support, there are issues when it comes to the straightening of the material.