Traditional roll forming involves passing a long strip of metal through a series of custom rolls, each of which performs an incremental part of the bend, until the desired cross-section is achieved. This high energy method requires large work areas and defects such as flaring, twisting, and edge and surface defects occur. Designed by University of Queensland researchers, the Millipede is an almost continuous deformation, process making a product with less surface and geometric defects. The system uses less energy, is compact and portable, and the process is enclosed for increased safety. The less aggressive deformation process allows new materials to be roll-formed whilst preserving the surface properties. Thinner gauge materials can be formed with minimal geometric defects, thus permitting thinner section, higher strength material to be used, reducing the amount of raw material required.

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