I need to roll a sheet metal (about 20 gauge) into a 4-inch diameter tube. It is straightforward with a roller, but I don't have a roller nor the space for it. Instead, I have a 20-ton hydraulic press. I am looking for any ideas on how I could use this press to do the rolling. Would appreciate any ideas.
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Sheet metal rolling with a hydraulic press
- Thread starter asarangan
- Start date
Garage Junkie
Well-known member
Please provide:
1 material type
2 Material dimensions- thickness - 20 gauge for sure?, length (I'm assuming the width is just over 12" to make a 4" circle.)
3 Finished product application
4 Final surface finish requirements
5 Tooling available for your press
1 material type
2 Material dimensions- thickness - 20 gauge for sure?, length (I'm assuming the width is just over 12" to make a 4" circle.)
3 Finished product application
4 Final surface finish requirements
5 Tooling available for your press
txvwnut
Well-known member
To use a press you'll need to setup some sort of sheet metal brake fixture in it the then you can just make small bends to get your radius. The only drawback is you can't make a full circle with this type of setup.
Innovate1
Well-known member
Getting a smooth curve is going to be more difficult with the press if that is a requirement. Maybe get a round shaft with diameter slightly smaller than the final needed (to account for springback). Then clamp down two blocks with a slot between them with slot width equal to the shaft diameter plus twice the material thickness plus a bit more for clearance.
Please provide:
1 material type
2 Material dimensions- thickness - 20 gauge for sure?, length (I'm assuming the width is just over 12" to make a 4" circle.)
3 Finished product application
4 Final surface finish requirements
5 Tooling available for your press
Material type = any type of steel
Dimension = 20 or 22 gauge. 3-6" width and 4" diameter
Finished product = A cross contamination sleeve for vacuum deposition system
Surface finish = not important
Tooling available = As mentioned, a hydraulic press, but the question was about what tooling or technique I could use to make this work with a hyraulic press.
Garage Junkie
Well-known member
welder4956
Well-known member
Go to HD or Lowes and buy a length of 4" dryer duct. Much easier than trying to build a tool for a hydraulic press that can only press half the circumference. It won't hold vacuum though due to the longitudinal seam. You'll have to find a way to seal the seam. 4" EMT may be a better choice.I need to roll a sheet metal (about 20 gauge) into a 4-inch diameter tube. It is straightforward with a roller, but I don't have a roller nor the space for it. Instead, I have a 20-ton hydraulic press. I am looking for any ideas on how I could use this press to do the rolling. Would appreciate any ideas.
you can buy a pinch roller make your part and throw it away for less money than building a die to form that in a hydraulic press. 22 gage you should be able to form by hand around something close to the size you need. I worked in the vacuum coating industry for over 30 years we never used mild steel inside a chamber.
Garage Junkie
Well-known member
It would appear that the OP has either found an answer to his problem, or given up on solving it. Please feel free to continue to solve his problem with increasingly complicated and expensive solutions until someone suggests the use of PVC pipe and the resulting chaos causes the thread to be closed. Have a nice day!
welder4956
Well-known member
OP must have seen an answer he liked and booked. At least he had more than 1 post.