Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing metal profile members of open or closed construction, especially steel profile members, wherein a continuous band-like metal material of uniform wall thickness as viewed in cross-section is continuously fed along a path where it is continuously deformed by cold- and hot-shaping procedures to produce the profile member. The profile member produced in accordance with this process has one or more differences in wall thickness at one or more predetermined points in its cross-sectional width. During the hot-shaping procedure, at least one predetermined portion of the cross-sectional width of the band-like material is heated to soften that portion after which the band-like material is passed between pairs of discs disposed on opposite sides of the heat-softened portion, the angle of the discs relative to the band-like material being adjustable to cause the heat-softened area to be stretched or compacted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing metal profile members, hollow bodies and the like wherein a plurality of continuous band-like metal strips of constant wall thickness as viewed in cross-section are continuously fed along separate paths which converge. The band-like metal strips are heated at predetermined selected areas to a welding temperature and then continuously press-welded together to form the profile members. One or more of the band-like metal strips may be deformed by cold-shaping prior to the press-welding operation. Hot-shaping may occur simultaneously with or immediately after the press-welding operation. Also, cold-shaping of the welded material may take place following the press-welding and hot-shaping steps to form a metal profile member of predetermined configuration.