Slip Rolls, Plate Rolls, and Combination Machines are all used for metal forming, but they differ in their capabilities and the types of metal they can handle. Here are some key differences between these three machines:
- Slip Rolls: Slip rolls are typically used for forming curved sections of sheet metal. They are often manual machines that use a set of three rollers to bend metal into a cylindrical shape. Slip rolls are limited in the thickness of the metal they can handle, typically up to 16 gauge (1.6 mm) thickness, and are best suited for forming soft metals like aluminum and copper.
- Plate Rolls: Plate rolls are designed for bending thicker metal sheets and plates into cylindrical or conical shapes. They use a set of three or four rollers, with one or more of the rollers adjustable to achieve the desired curvature. Plate rolls can handle thicker metal sheets, up to several inches thick, and are often used for forming parts for heavy machinery or large pipes.
- Combination Machines: Combination machines are versatile machines that can perform multiple metal forming operations, including bending, rolling, and cutting. They can have a variety of rollers and attachments that allow them to handle both sheet metal and thicker plates. Combination machines are often used in smaller fabrication shops where space is limited and multiple machines would be impractical.
Slip rolls are used for forming curved sections of thin sheet metal, plate rolls are used for forming thicker sheets and plates into cylindrical or conical shapes, and combination machines are versatile machines that can perform multiple metal forming operations. The choice of machine will depend on the specific needs of the fabrication shop and the types of metal forming operations required.