Roll Forming Corporation Hits the Target for Gun Range Manufacturer

Engineers Develop Effective Roll-Formed Solution for Range Target System

The Client

Meggitt Training Systems is a division of Meggitt Defense Systems located in Suwanee, Georgia. Meggitt provides training systems—primarily indoor and outdoor gun ranges and simulators—for military, law enforcement and security agencies, and commercial clients throughout North America and around the world.

The Challenge

In its gun ranges, Meggitt was using a pulley-operated target retrieval system that relied on cables to move a hanging target back and forth along the length of the range ceiling. The problem was that after repeated use, the tension of the cables would need to be adjusted to maintain performance, or even worse, the cables would begin to fray and then break. To avoid these ongoing maintenance and replacement issues, Meggitt wanted to develop a wireless, one-piece target retrieval system that would eliminate the cables altogether.

The Roll Forming Corporation Solution

Roll Forming Corporation's engineers worked closely with Meggitt personnel to develop the product design needed to fit their specifications; offering three possible configurations—complete with CAD models and simulations—to choose from. They decided to go with Roll Forming's welded tube concept that features a hollow, square tube that forms a "T" shape in one corner (see drawing). The tube is constructed of durable galvanized steel to withstand the rigors of outdoor or indoor use and is made by Roll Forming Corporation in eight-foot sections; each with four self-tapping, countersunk holes. The tubes can be easily connected on-site with specially designed inserts to run the length of any size range. Once installed, the interlocked tubes create a one-piece track that allows the target to glide back and forth on casters using a DC motor drive system. This is the industry's first truly wireless, 360-degree turning target retrieval system and a great advancement for Meggitt and its customers.
Roll Forming Corporation routinely stocks 20 tons of materials and pre-made eight-foot track tube sections to ensure that Meggitt has ready access to its innovative product components; shipping parts to its headquarters in Georgia or to remote jobsites as required.

Results

With its improved wireless target retrieval system, Meggitt is able to provide better performance, reliability, and value for its customers.