A roll forming machine fabricates specific configurations out of long strips of metal, most commonly coiled steel. In most applications, the required cross-section profile of the piece is specifically designed for the machine to bend the metal as necessary. Other than roll forming, these machines perform a number of metalworking duties, including material cutting and roll punching.

Roll forming machines, for the most part, work in a continuous cycle. The material is fed into the machine where it continuously makes its way through the stages of each operation, ending with the completion of a final product.

A roll forming machine bends metal using a number of stations where fixed rollers both guide the metal and make the necessary bends. As the strip of metal travels through the roll forming machine, each set of rollers bend the metal a little more than the previous station of rollers.