Abstract: A machine for embossing comprises a pair of co-operating rollers parallel to but spaced from one another, and two pairs of pinch rollers also parallel to and spaced from one another, one pair of pinch rollers being effective to firmly grip a workpiece before it enters the embossing zone. One set of pinch rollers is located at each respective side of the embossing rollers, and a retractor coupling the upper roller of each said set to the machine frame, arranged in one mode to firmly grip the workpiece and in another mode to be clear of the workpiece. This arrangement enables the rolling machine to operate in two directions.

Abstract: An expanded metal grid has beads which comprise grooves, the widest part of each said groove being wider than its mouth, and these narrow-mouth grooves are engaged by the heads of panel supports which support panels (for example, louvres).

Abstract: An expanded metal workpiece is formed from an extrusion so as to have grooves between the beads where adjacent beads are joined by web portions, the head portions of metal inserts are then inserted into the grooves at a metal to metal joining zone, and each head is retained to the metal workpiece by metal deformation.

Abstract: A sheet metal workpiece is deformed by embossing or shearing over a patterned die plate, by placing the workpiece on the die plate, a slab of rubber or other elastomer on the workpiece, and passing between spaced parallel driven rollers.A characteristic of the invention is the use of load rollers adjacent and on each side of the lower roller to support a carriage which itself supports the die plate so that the resilient forces imposed by the rubber do not curve the carriage and die plate.