A multi-axis roll-forming system for forming a stepped diameter in a cylinder. The system includes a support configured to spin about a rotation axis while supporting a workpiece including a cylinder. A first actuator is configured to translate a first roller perpendicular to rotation axis. The first roller includes a truncated conical work surface configured to press against the inward-facing surface of the cylinder to angle it outward according to a slant angle of the truncated conical work surface.

A multi-axis roll-forming method includes simultaneously (a) spinning, about a rotation axis, a spin platter having placed thereon a ring encircling the rotation axis, (b) pressing at least one first roller against outward-facing surface of a first portion of the ring to press the first portion against an outward-facing surface of the spin platter, and (c) forcing a second roller against an outward-facing surface of a second portion of the ring to bend toward the rotation axis the second portion, so as to form a lip extending toward the rotation axis, wherein the step of forcing includes (i) pivoting the second roller against the second portion, and (ii) translating the second roller along the second portion toward the rotation axis.

A multi-axis roll-forming method includes simultaneously (a) spinning, about a rotation axis, a spin platter having placed thereon a ring encircling the rotation axis, (b) pressing at least one first roller against outward-facing surface of a first portion of the ring to press the first portion against an outward-facing surface of the spin platter, and (c) forcing a second roller against an outward-facing surface of a second portion of the ring to bend toward the rotation axis the second portion, so as to form a lip extending toward the rotation axis, wherein the step of forcing includes (i) pivoting the second roller against the second portion, and (ii) translating the second roller along the second portion toward the rotation axis.

A method for roll-forming disk carriers or the like, which are designed as a pot-shaped sheet metal part having inner and outer teeth, wherein a multitude of cassettes is equidistantly arranged on the circumference of a roll-forming tool, said cassettes having profile rollers arranged in their interior, which roll out the disk carrier to be formed with their outer circumference and thus impart toothing on the disk carrier to be formed, wherein the forming depth of the profile rollers at the disk carrier to be formed is designed in such a way that a narrow, peripheral, self-contained, unformed bridge remains between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the toothing, wherein the bridge increases the engine-speed strength of the disk carrier as a hoop band cylinder that is integrated into the toothing.

A method for roll-forming disk carriers or the like, which are designed as a pot-shaped sheet metal part having inner and outer teeth, wherein a multitude of cassettes is equidistantly arranged on the circumference of a roll-forming tool, said cassettes having profile rollers arranged in their interior, which roll out the disk carrier to be formed with their outer circumference and thus impart toothing on the disk carrier to be formed, wherein the forming depth of the profile rollers at the disk carrier to be formed is designed in such a way that a narrow, peripheral, self-contained, unformed bridge remains between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the toothing, wherein the bridge increases the engine-speed strength of the disk carrier as a hoop band cylinder that is integrated into the toothing.

Apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that flexibly form variable component geometries in a roll-forming process. An example roll-forming apparatus includes a forming unit to move along a stationary component to form a cross-section in the component, a first roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to engage the component, and a second roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to set a forming angle for movement along the component, the component formed between the first roll and the second roll.

An springback compensation method for on-line real-time metal sheet roll bending includes the steps of using multiple rollers to bend a continuous metal sheet of multiple sections having different materials or different thickness respectively; using a first position sensor to individually measure springback angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet, and feeding back to a programmable logic controller; using the programmable controller to control a bending roller to compensate the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet respectively; using a second position sensor to individually measure compensated angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet; and comparing a difference between the compensated angles and standard angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet after compensating bending.

An springback compensation method for on-line real-time metal sheet roll bending includes the steps of using multiple rollers to bend a continuous metal sheet of multiple sections having different materials or different thickness respectively; using a first position sensor to individually measure springback angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet, and feeding back to a programmable logic controller; using the programmable controller to control a bending roller to compensate the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet respectively; using a second position sensor to individually measure compensated angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet; and comparing a difference between the compensated angles and standard angles of the multiple sections of the bent metal sheet after compensating bending.

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.