A press forming method is capable of improving material yield while avoiding the risk of dimensional error increase at product forming sections in blank material when carrying out press forming, and a plate material expansion device is used in this method. An end side of plate material for press forming is restricted by blank holding rollers, and pressure is applied to a middle location in the part that is restricted by a pressure roller. In this state, the plate material is transported in a rotating direction of the rollers being driven to continuously bend and extend the section receiving pressure. This bent and extended section is flattened with a flattening roller to obtain blank material wherein an end part is expanded.

A press forming method is capable of improving material yield while avoiding the risk of dimensional error increase at product forming sections in blank material when carrying out press forming, and a plate material expansion device is used in this method. An end side of plate material for press forming is restricted by blank holding rollers, and pressure is applied to a middle location in the part that is restricted by a pressure roller. In this state, the plate material is transported in a rotating direction of the rollers being driven to continuously bend and extend the section receiving pressure. This bent and extended section is flattened with a flattening roller to obtain blank material wherein an end part is expanded.

In an aluminum foil rolling process, first and second aluminum foils are provided, each having first and second faces, one face between the first and second faces is lubricated to obtain a first lubricated face. The foils are coupled to obtain a coupled foil having two outer faces and rolling the coupled foil, reducing the thickness of the coupled foil. One face between the two outer faces of the coupled foil is lubricated to obtain a coupled foil having a second lubricated face. The coupled foil is then wound to obtain a wound coupled foil. The coupled foil is partially separated by unwinding one of the first and second foils, to obtain a wound coupled foil. The wound coupled foil is unwound and rolled to obtain a coupled foil with reduced thickness and is then separated to obtain first and second foils with respective first and second reduced thicknesses.

In an aluminum foil rolling process, first and second aluminum foils are provided, each having first and second faces, one face between the first and second faces is lubricated to obtain a first lubricated face. The foils are coupled to obtain a coupled foil having two outer faces and rolling the coupled foil, reducing the thickness of the coupled foil. One face between the two outer faces of the coupled foil is lubricated to obtain a coupled foil having a second lubricated face. The coupled foil is then wound to obtain a wound coupled foil. The coupled foil is partially separated by unwinding one of the first and second foils, to obtain a wound coupled foil. The wound coupled foil is unwound and rolled to obtain a coupled foil with reduced thickness and is then separated to obtain first and second foils with respective first and second reduced thicknesses.

An apparatus (10) includes internal mechanisms (18, 20, 24) for advancing, guiding and roll forming fascia molding (30, 30a) from sheet material (14) fed from coil stock (16) or in precut sheets (72). The fascia molding (30, 30a) includes a roll formed curved profile (32) in between angled top and bottom portions.

An apparatus (10) includes internal mechanisms (18, 20, 24) for advancing, guiding and roll forming fascia molding (30, 30a) from sheet material (14) fed from coil stock (16) or in precut sheets (72). The fascia molding (30, 30a) includes a roll formed curved profile (32) in between angled top and bottom portions.

A metal roof panel includes a rib with a unique shape. The rib is bilateral with upwardly angled sides that each transition into an indentation, with both indentations transitioning into a central flat apex. Between each rib is a channel, preferably including at least one raised surface. The lower surface of the channel between the raised surfaces, and the top of the raised surfaces, are substantially planar and parallel to the flat surface of the apex of the panel. A unique method of manufacturing the roof panel employs a roll machine configured to shape a piece of sheet metal into the roof panel by modifying the shape in many small increments, which allows the final product to have a fairly intricate bend pattern.

A metal roof panel includes a rib with a unique shape. The rib is bilateral with upwardly angled sides that each transition into an indentation, with both indentations transitioning into a central flat apex. Between each rib is a channel, preferably including at least one raised surface. The lower surface of the channel between the raised surfaces, and the top of the raised surfaces, are substantially planar and parallel to the flat surface of the apex of the panel. A unique method of manufacturing the roof panel employs a roll machine configured to shape a piece of sheet metal into the roof panel by modifying the shape in many small increments, which allows the final product to have a fairly intricate bend pattern.

A two-axis roll forming apparatus for forming sheet metal includes a first carriage and a second carriage each reciprocally movable parallel to a longitudinal axis. The second carriage is spaced apart from the first carriage and separated therefrom by a gap. A first bending station is carried by the first carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second bending station is carried by the second carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to the transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A two-axis roll forming apparatus for forming sheet metal includes a first carriage and a second carriage each reciprocally movable parallel to a longitudinal axis. The second carriage is spaced apart from the first carriage and separated therefrom by a gap. A first bending station is carried by the first carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second bending station is carried by the second carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to the transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.