Roll Forming Operators

A roll forming line of average proportions, usually is operated by a single man.  Depending on the number of machines in the plant, this man may or may not be capable of making a roll setup.

As lines increase in complexity or as the shape gets longer, wider or heavier, depending upon the degree of automation, a helper may be added to the picture to assist in coil loading or part handling.

Sometimes, a roll forming machine is “operator-less” and simply functions as a conveyor between operations.  An example of this is the typical refrigerator panel line wherein the flat sheet is automatically conveyed from the trim and notch press to the forming machine and also from the forming machine to the tangent bender.

It is often assumed that a roll forming machine operator must be a “Jack of all trades”.  This may be far-fetched, although on some troubleshooting occasions, such attributes might help.  The operator should be a good mechanic capable of accepting and utilizing such training as is made available.  They do not have to be a tool-maker, as this phase or work has already been accomplished for them.