With the rapid advancement of manufacturing technology, the selection of presses and measuring systems for roll forming has become more varied and complex than ever. There are three major types of presses that roll forming professionals should know about: mechanical, air, and hydraulic presses.
By understanding the differences between them, you can make more informed equipment decisions that enhance your roll forming system's operations and design. Each type of press has unique advantages and disadvantages, and selecting the right one requires careful consideration of your application's specific needs and constraints.
In this series on our blog, we'll go through each press type one by one and discuss their features, advantages, and disadvantages and how all those elements make them the right choice for certain applications.
Air presses are used in roll forming for their speed, precision, and versatility, especially in applications involving lighter gauge materials. They offer fast cycle times, easy force adjustment, and are well-suited for tasks like punching, notching, or shearing without disrupting the continuous nature of the roll forming process. Additionally, air presses are typically more compact, cost-effective, and require less maintenance than hydraulic or mechanical alternatives, making them ideal for high-volume production lines where efficiency and flexibility are key.