C Purlin Roll Forming Line

1. Definition

A C purlin roll forming line (also called a Cee purlin or structural C-channel machine) cold-forms coil into C-shaped structural purlins for steel buildings. It is not a Z-purlin machine, not a C/Z interchangeable line, and not a light-gauge drywall stud / track machine.

Modern plants often specify automatic size change for web, flange, and lip within a documented range. Industry catalogs commonly advertise about 80–300 mm web bands and about 1–3 mm thickness — useful market context; commercial ratings still follow the named proposal.

2. Typical process flow

1. Decoil galvanized or carbon-steel strip
2. Level / feed
3. Hydraulic punching (when the drawing requires holes)
4. Progressive roll forming of the C section
5. Cut-to-length — stop shear, flying saw, or twist-off depending on the ordered package
6. Exit / stack

3. Technical parameters (Automatic C80–300 class)

One documented Automatic C80–300 reference package uses the following baseline. Heavy-duty and high-speed packages are separate tiers (see next section).

4. Other configuration tiers

• Gearbox + flying-saw class — may cite about 30 m/min; saw motor and hydraulic station ratings differ from the Automatic baseline
• High-speed class — some packages cite about 50 m/min level with loopers / auto stacking — do not paste these speeds onto the Automatic table
• Heavy-duty class — thicker strip (examples about 3–5 mm) with much higher main power (examples about 55 kW) — separate inquiry
• Thin / light references in older packs (examples about 0.6–1.2 mm) are not the Automatic C80–300 thickness story

Drive may be chain or gearbox; controls may be Siemens / Yaskawa class or other PLC brands named in the contract.

5. Related machines

• Z purlin line — separate machine family
• C/Z interchangeable line — one frame that switches C and Z; do not mix its ratings into a C-only quote
• U channel line — structural U / channel geometry, not Cee purlin lips
• Light-gauge stud / track — much thinner interior framing; different duty class

6. Applications

Roof and wall purlins for steel warehouses, industrial plants, and similar metal building systems. Coil is typically galvanized or carbon steel strip.

7. Buyer FAQ

Is a C purlin machine the same as a CZ interchangeable machine?

No. C-only, Z-only, and C/Z interchangeable are three inquiry paths.

Can I treat 50 m/min as the standard speed?

No. About 0–18 m/min forming (about 0–12 m/min with punch/shear) is the Automatic C80–300 class baseline. Higher figures belong to other tiers.

Do I need punching on every line?

Only when the purlin drawing requires holes. Punch layout and pre- vs post-punch are confirmed on the proposal.

What size range should I put on the inquiry?

State web, flange, lip, thickness, and hole map. “C80–300” alone is a family name, not a finished BOM.