An automatically adjusting auto gauge system comprises a servo motor that provides rotational motion; at least one of a gearbox and linear actuator driven by the one or more servo motors to transfer the rotational motor of the servo motor to linear motion; a group of roll former passes, each including a cam arm, an eccentric cam, a push rod, a top set of roll tooling, a bottom set of roll tooling; a bar operably coupled to the gearbox and the cam arms of the group of roll former passes, the bar driven by the gearbox to impart linear motion to the cam arms, which in turn imparts rotational motion to each eccentric cam, which in turn imparts linear motion, raising or lowering the top set of roll tooling via the push rod, adjusting a gap between the top and bottom sets of roll tooling.

An elongate profile having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being joined together at a first joining portion, the first and second portions being non collinear, the joining portion comprising an array of raised or rebated formations, each formation extending across the joining portion in a direction which is non-parallel to the principal axis of the profile and flat lands being provided between successive formations in an array and the pitch between successive formations in an array being from 2 to 20 times, for example from 5 to 15 times, the thickness of the flatlands.

An elongate profile having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being joined together at a first joining portion, the first and second portions being non collinear, the joining portion comprising an array of raised or rebated formations, each formation extending across the joining portion in a direction which is non-parallel to the principal axis of the profile and flat lands being provided between successive formations in an array and the pitch between successive formations in an array being from 2 to 20 times, for example from 5 to 15 times, the thickness of the flatlands.

A panel forming station has a frame, a pair of clamping devices and a pair of end forming devices. A panel is clamped between one clamping device and the frame. The first forming device forms a first trimless end on the panel. The first forming device has a cutter bending blade and a roller that forms the first trimless end. The second clamping device clamps a panel. The second forming device has a cutter, a bending blade and a roller to form the second trimless end. A controller couples with the first and second clamping device and first and second end forming devices to control the panel's passage through the frame.

A panel forming station has a frame, a pair of clamping devices and a pair of end forming devices. A panel is clamped between one clamping device and the frame. The first forming device forms a first trimless end on the panel. The first forming device has a cutter bending blade and a roller that forms the first trimless end. The second clamping device clamps a panel. The second forming device has a cutter, a bending blade and a roller to form the second trimless end. A controller couples with the first and second clamping device and first and second end forming devices to control the panel's passage through the frame.

Changing of a horizontal roll in a horizontal roll stand involving readjustment of an amount of pressing is to be done readily and promptly. In order to achieve this, a horizontal roll stand 10 with a pair of built-in upper and lower horizontal rolls 11 is configured to retreat toward one side across a forming line. A fixed stand 40 stands upright on a counter-retreating side of the forming line. An overhang part 42 of the fixed stand 40 jutting out over the forming line is provided with a pressure device 43 that applies a pressing force to the horizontal rolls 11. The horizontal roll stand 10 includes a horizontal roll housing 12 with an opened top, receives the pressing force from the pressure device 43 via the opened top, and retreats to the outside of the forming line while the pressure device 43 is left on the forming line. The overhang part 42 of the fixed stand 40 is engaged with the horizontal roll housing 12 of the horizontal roll stand 10 to support the horizontal roll housing 12 in the forming line.

A workpiece processing method includes: a section roll forming step of subjecting a flat plate shaped workpiece to forming to impart a prescribed cross-sectional shape thereto; a solution heat treatment step of subjecting the workpiece, after the section roll forming step has been performed, to solution heat treatment; a contour roll forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the solution heat treatment step has been performed, to forming to bend the workpiece into an arcuate shape; and a stretch forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the contour roll forming step has been performed, to forming to impart a curved shape, following a curved surface of a die, to the workpiece by bringing the workpiece into contact with the curved surface and inputting a tension load to the workpiece.

A workpiece processing method includes: a section roll forming step of subjecting a flat plate shaped workpiece to forming to impart a prescribed cross-sectional shape thereto; a solution heat treatment step of subjecting the workpiece, after the section roll forming step has been performed, to solution heat treatment; a contour roll forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the solution heat treatment step has been performed, to forming to bend the workpiece into an arcuate shape; and a stretch forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the contour roll forming step has been performed, to forming to impart a curved shape, following a curved surface of a die, to the workpiece by bringing the workpiece into contact with the curved surface and inputting a tension load to the workpiece.

A gutter piece and a method of forming the gutter piece including the steps of: obtaining a gutter forming apparatus with a marking subassembly; obtaining a supply of gutter material; through the gutter forming apparatus, progressively forming the gutter material into completed gutter pieces, each with a length, as the gutter material is advanced in a forming path; and through the subassembly, continuously making discrete visible marks on the gutter material as the gutter material is advanced that: a) reside at predetermined intervals along a length of each of the completed gutter pieces, and b) are located to facilitate controlled interval placement of hangers that are used to support the completed gutter pieces in an operative position on a structure.

A gutter piece and a method of forming the gutter piece including the steps of: obtaining a gutter forming apparatus with a marking subassembly; obtaining a supply of gutter material; through the gutter forming apparatus, progressively forming the gutter material into completed gutter pieces, each with a length, as the gutter material is advanced in a forming path; and through the subassembly, continuously making discrete visible marks on the gutter material as the gutter material is advanced that: a) reside at predetermined intervals along a length of each of the completed gutter pieces, and b) are located to facilitate controlled interval placement of hangers that are used to support the completed gutter pieces in an operative position on a structure.