Custom Roll Form Products: How Important Are They?

There is a reason why custom roll form products are so often in demand within the manufacturing industry. These products derive from a specific process called roll forming, which involves bending and shaping strip metal. Strip metal passes through a series of special rolls which ensure that the end product is the exact shape and dimension that you need it to be. In actuality, there are several different basic shapes that we associate with roll forming—namely angle, channel, round tube, and boxes, among others. However, many companies also use this process to create specially designed shapes, which are more complex.

It’s this range, in part, that makes roll forming and custom roll form products in general popular among business owners. Press braking, alternatively, does not offer the wide range that you’ll often need when creating more unique products. Furthermore, roll forming often creates a stronger product, not prone to the weaknesses often caused by other method applications.

With all of this in mind, you may be eager to begin creating custom roll form products on your own. As many small business owners have discovered, it’s often much easier to work with third parties, and in particular contract manufacturers. Although some companies bristle at the idea of working with third parties in general, there are actually many benefits to doing so. It’s easier to assuage your worries if you know more about contract manufacturing, and exactly how it works.

What is Contract Manufacturing?

At its most basic level, contract manufacturing is a form of outsourcing. In reality, the process is a bit more complex, and much more hands on for manufacturing clients than you might think. You’re still responsible for configuring your design or formula, though you don’t need to have the final plans right when first approaching us. It’s our job as the contract manufacturer to apply those plans correctly

With that being said, CTI has a process in place that makes it easier to ensure that you get the custom roll form products you require. You don’t need to know a lot about the production process yourself—that’s our job. Rather, we can begin with an initial consultation, then move on to an initial prototype of sorts. After that point, we deliver a pilot run which allows you to see the final product before it goes into full scale production. Any necessary changes are made at this point; only once you have given your approval will we begin working.

Why Use Contract Manufacturing

So, why do business owners turn to contract manufacturers like us in the first place? For one thing, it’s simply easier. If you want to ensure that you’re getting a high quality product in an efficient manner, you should work with experts. Contract manufacturers can act as experts. We have the experience necessary to execute your order correctly, as well as the equipment and the employees.

If you attempted producing your own custom roll form products, you might end up with machines you don’t need in the long term. Additionally, you must acquire a new set of permanent or semi-permanent employees. If you don’t acquire experienced employees, they must train before they can safely use the roll forming equipment. At the end of the process, you could spend an inordinate amount of money, without being assured of your product’s quality. Indeed, experienced contract manufacturers can service clients in a wide variety of industries. We utilize roll form products in diverse fields.

What Types of Industries Require Custom Roll Form Products?

The demand for roll form products may surprise you. Some of the most prevalent industries in need of roll form products include:

1. Carpentry

Often, we use custom roll forming to create supportive angles for carpentry purposes. Usually, holes and slots feature in these pieces, which allows for more flexible usages. Furthermore, parts connect through these slots, making assembly much simpler.

2. Home Improvement

The roll forming process actually creates many of the components that we associate with home improvement. In particular, think about door and window hardware, such as framing. The metal structures that support furniture are also often made through roll forming. Rain gutters and house sidings are roll formed, and we even make metal fencing through this process.

3. Automotive

The commercial automotive industry relies upon the roll forming process for some components. Vehicles are essentially made up of an assortment of parts, many of which are made of metal. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the roll forming process is so integral to their composition.

4. Computer

Yes, computer components are also roll formed. Think of the hard casing that protects your computer. How better can we make this than with the roll forming process? Other important internal pieces are produced through roll forming as well.

There are many other industries that rely upon roll forming, and ultimately it’s no wonder. The roll forming process can work with so many materials. Among them are:

• Malleable and capable of conducting electricity, this metal is ideal for roll forming.
• As this metal is extremely strong, it’s typically only used for heavy duty products.
• This metal is quite resistant to corrosion and is used to create lightweight pieces.
• Used to create copper, this metal is less susceptible to acid when fused with other metals.
• The most commonly roll formed metal, steel is remarkable durable and resistant to corrosion.
• While quite shiny and similar to gold in appearance, brass is also microbial, adding to its favorability among manufacturers.

Clearly, the roll forming process is going to remain in demand for the foreseeable future, and with good reason. As such, we recommend exploring what a contract manufacturer could do for you. Give us a call at 419-924-5566 or contact us to discuss the process further.