A productive roll forming operation depends on more than the forming machine itself. Before material ever reaches the first forming station, the coil has to be positioned, loaded, supported, and fed into the line correctly.

That makes coil handling equipment an important part of planning a complete roll forming system.

Start With the Decoiler

The decoiler supports the coil and feeds material into the production line. Its capacity needs to match the weight, width, and inside diameter of the coils being used as well as the operating requirements of the equipment downstream.

Hydraulic expansion and powered payoff can make loading and feeding large coils easier while helping maintain a consistent supply of material to the line.

Coil Cars Simplify Loading

Moving a heavy coil into position on a decoiler can be one of the more challenging parts of material handling. A hydraulic coil car allows the coil to be positioned below the mandrel and raised into place.

For operations that regularly change coils, incorporating a coil car into the line can simplify the loading process and reduce dependence on other material-handling equipment at the machine.

When a Coil Upender Is Needed

Coils do not always arrive in the orientation required by the production line. A coil upender, sometimes called a coil tipper, rotates a coil so it can be moved from an eye-to-the-sky position to an eye-horizontal position or vice versa.

This can be particularly useful when incoming coil storage and transportation requirements differ from the orientation needed by the decoiler.

Plan Coil Handling With the Entire Line

Coil handling equipment should not be treated as an afterthought. Coil weight, dimensions, available floor space, loading methods, production speed, and material flow should all be considered when laying out a roll forming operation.

The goal is to create a smooth path from coil storage to the finished product while reducing unnecessary material movement between each stage.

Build a Complete Roll Forming System

Pairing the right coil handling equipment with a roll forming or coil processing line can create a more practical and efficient production setup.

Roll Worx offers hydraulic decoilers, coil cars, coil upenders, and roll forming equipment that can be configured around the needs of a metal manufacturing operation. Contact Roll Worx to discuss your coil size, material, production requirements, and equipment configuration.