Opening Roll—Why it’s important

/ Sheet Metal Forming Machinery / By /
This little wheel sits horizontally on the 4th or 5th station of your High Speed Lockformer Pitts. It opens the female seam pocket sufficiently so that the Right Angle Flange (aka Male Pittsburgh) will seat properly. 

The opening rolls are heat treated when manufactured so that they are not too hard (otherwise they would chip) and not too soft (otherwise they would easily wear out).

Without it the pocket closes like this…

And the male Pitts doesn’t seat easily…

When you know that it’s time to replace the Opening Roll wheel on a Pittsburgh Machine…

If this wheel is chipped or missing, the pocket seam will be closed and require flat head screwdrivers to open.

If a shop uses this tool frequently, they likely need to replace Opening Roll Wheel
Many shops have chipped Opening Wheels

LockformerConklin Part Number
Model 24 PittsburghRPLF11072
Model 20RPLF51627
Model 18RPLF57645
Model 16RPLF11017
TriplexLF^12412
SuperspeedLF^12412
Note: On newer Lockformer 20 Gauge Pittsburgh machines, these are made in China and the opening roll is a slightly different one (#LC5V675)

FlaglerConklin Part Number
Model 24 PittsburghRP-FL24
Model 20RP-FL20
QuadformerQuadformer
HS 20 Gauge PittsRP-FL20HS

20 Gauge Opening Roll Measurements:
1-3/8” dia.
1-7/8” dia.
2-1/4″ dia.