Roll-forming lines, coil, tooling and the factory floor. In this article we walk through what we have learned on real projects, with numbers you can use.
How the process works
1. Import the model
Upload an IFC or DXF export. The software reads wall centrelines, openings and levels, then proposes a frame layout using your default profile rules.
2. Review and adjust
Walk the model in 3D, fix clashes and tweak stud spacing around services. Changes ripple through the cut list automatically.
3. Send to the machine
Each panel is exported as a CSV or machine file. The roll-former reads it, forms the coil and punches dimples, service holes and labels in one pass.
“The first time we ran a whole house straight from the model, the site crew finished the frame before the scaffolding was down.”
Cost and time
Steel prices move, but the labour saving is consistent. On a 120 m² single-storey house we usually see:
- Framing time: 3–5 days with a crew of four.
- Waste: under 2% of coil, versus 10–15% for site-cut timber.
- Rework: near zero when the model is clean.
The biggest hidden cost is a late design change. Freeze the model before you form the first panel.
