Crucial Considerations for Metalforming Machinery

MCS Influencer John Kenney says that quality is crucial when picking out a metal roll-forming machine.

There are different types of metal-forming machinery in the marketplace. This category can include automated shears and brakes, portable roof panel machines, gutter roll former, edge metal formers and custom laser metal working equipment. 

This article will focus on portable roof panel machines for the standing seam. Still, below are some tips to consider regardless of what machinery you may consider purchasing:

• Manufacturing quality
• Warranty
• Customer service and repairs
• Roll-formed product specifications
• Custom profile, single profile and multiple profile roll forming machines
• Speed and auantity of production

Portable roll-forming machines incorporate forming rollers to fabricate many standing seam roofing profiles used in the metal roofing industry. Most machines can utilize various materials such as painted steel, aluminum, copper and zinc in this process.

You should consider the key points we outlined above. Quality is crucial when choosing a roll former, as the machine will be integral to your business and reputation.

Portable roll-forming machines also impact transportation costs as they save on packaging and initial freight costs and should reduce your lead times for your clients. You can reduce shipping damage, sizing errors, short shipments and lost time due to on-the-job changes by fabricating onsite.  

Many contractors, upon occasion, use the machine in the warehouse to run a few jobs at a time and then ship them out to their sites. When you do this, care must be taken to package appropriately. Wrap to prevent finish damages and adequately secure the shipment to your trailer of flatbed travel to the site job site.  

You also want to take building code requirements into account before purchasing. There are sections of the code that will require the panel system to meet various testing requirements. State or Local codes may have more stringent or specific requirements depending on your area of the country. Verify with the panel machine manufacturer that the proper verification of test data can be provided for the profiles you will be forming with their machine. By doing the front-end research, you save yourself from aggravation and problems.  

Finally, you must consider the purchase of a machine if you finance or buy the equipment outright. Some manufacturers offer in-house financing options, or they can refer you to a reputable equipment financier. It is a large investment, so you must consider the pros and cons of both methods.

As standing seam continues to grow in market share, investing in portable roll-forming equipment will enable a roofing contractor to cut costs, meet your customer demands and gain production and quality control with your metal projects.

John Kenney is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. See his full bio here.