Production Rate and Conversion Cost

Standard roll forming machines are usually equipped for operation at a nominal rate of 100 FPM, but may easily be designed for a higher or lower speed to meet a specific requirement.  At this rate, daily production averages about 25,000 to 30,000 feet of section of 8 hours taking into account the usual delays for loading coils, threading the mill, clearing away finished product, and those other elements of downtime that might enter the picture.

Conversion costs obviously vary from plant to plant and from one requirement to another.  For this reason a general observation becomes almost meaningless; each job must be analyzed individually.  But, the high productivity and the low operating expenses involved provide a break-even point invariably so low one can conclude, if roll forming can be used in shaping any product, the conversion cost will be lower than obtainable with any other method.