C Purlin Machine Specially for Making Smaller Sections for Solar Panel Structure Solar Structure Sections & Machine 12–18 m/min

The demand for compact and accurately formed steel profiles continues to grow with the development of rooftop photovoltaic systems, solar carports, ground-mounted PV installations, and other renewable energy projects. For manufacturers serving these applications, a C purlin machine specially for making smaller sections for solar panel structure provides an efficient way to produce customized structural profiles from steel coils.

ZHONGTUO's solar purlin roll forming machine is designed for producing C/U-shaped sections from 1–3 mm Q195, Q235, and Q345B structural steel. The production line combines decoiling, leveling, feeding, roll forming, punching, hydraulic cutting, PLC control, and finished-profile collection.

Rather than restricting production to one standard section, the machine can be configured around different profile drawings. This makes it suitable for manufacturers that need various solar structure sections for photovoltaic mounting systems and related steel structures.

C/U Purlin Profiles for Solar Panel Structures

Solar mounting structures need profiles that provide adequate support while remaining practical to manufacture, transport, and install. Smaller C/U sections can be used in various parts of a PV support system, depending on the structural design and connection method.

The ZHONGTUO machine supports customized profiles with a 40–200 mm C width, 40–70 mm waist height, and 8–20 mm lip. The lip-to-waist relationship can also be configured according to the specified profile requirements.

The machine processes Q195, Q235, and Q345B steel in thicknesses from 1 to 3 mm. Consequently, manufacturers can select different material grades according to the required structural performance.

Typical applications include:

• Rooftop photovoltaic mounting systems

• Solar panel support structures

• Solar carports

• Ground-mounted PV systems

• Solar farm structural components

• Small steel support sections

• Customized PV mounting profiles

• Renewable energy infrastructure

The appropriate profile should be determined according to the project's structural calculations, loads, span, spacing, and connection requirements.

Solar Structure Sections and Machine Configuration

Every photovoltaic project may use different profile dimensions and hole patterns. Therefore, the solar structure machine requirement should be established before selecting the forming equipment.

Important factors include material grade, steel thickness, section dimensions, punching layout, finished length, production speed, and required dimensional accuracy.

For the specified ZHONGTUO configuration, the main parameters are:

Item	Specification
Application	Solar Panel Structure
Profile	Customized C/U Purlin
Material	Q195 / Q235 / Q345B
Thickness	1–3 mm
C Width	40–200 mm
Waist Height	40–70 mm
Lip	8–20 mm
Forming Stations	19
Roller Material	Cr12
Roller Hardness	HRC 58–62
Shaft Diameter	Ø70–Ø85 mm
Shaft Material	40Cr
Main Drive	30 kW Servo Motor
Transmission	Chain
Maximum Speed	25 m/min without punching
Speed with Punching	12–18 m/min
Decoiler	5T Hydraulic Decoiler
Cutting	Hydraulic Post-Cutting
Cutting Power	11 kW + Cooling
Control	PLC + Touch Screen
Encoder	Omron
Length Accuracy	±1 mm
Hole-Position Accuracy	±1 mm
Receiving Table	Semi-Automatic

This configuration can be adjusted when customers require different profile sizes, hole arrangements, production speeds, or automation functions.

Roll Forming System for 1–3 mm Structural Steel

Producing smaller solar structural sections still requires a stable forming system, particularly when the machine processes structural steel up to 3 mm thick.

ZHONGTUO uses 19 forming stations to gradually transform the flat steel strip into the required C/U section. This multi-stage process distributes deformation across the rollers and helps maintain the designed profile geometry.

The forming rollers use Cr12 steel and receive CNC machining and heat treatment to approximately HRC 58–62. The forming shafts use 40Cr steel with precision machining and surface treatment.

The main forming unit uses a 30 kW servo motor with chain transmission. Without punching, the line can reach approximately 25 m/min. When punching is integrated into production, the comprehensive speed is generally 12–18 m/min, depending on the hole pattern and production cycle.

In addition, the machine uses a welded U-beam base and a heavy-duty forming structure to provide stable support during continuous operation.

Feeding, Leveling and Automatic Size Adjustment

Consistent feeding is essential when producing precise solar structure sections. Before the strip reaches the forming rollers, the feeding and leveling system corrects the material condition and maintains alignment.

The specified leveling system contains three upper rollers and four lower rollers, together with two pinching shafts. The leveling rollers use Cr15 material and have a diameter of approximately 75 mm.

Guide shafts and guide wheels help maintain the correct strip position. The feeding width can also be electrically adjusted through the control system, reducing manual adjustment during production changes.

Furthermore, the machine supports automatic size adjustment through the PLC touch screen and control buttons. Operators can enter the required production parameters and adjust the forming dimensions without replacing the complete roll tooling arrangement.

This feature is particularly useful for manufacturers producing multiple sizes of smaller PV structural sections.

Hydraulic Punching and Post-Cutting

Many solar mounting components require holes for bolts, brackets, clamps, or structural connections. Therefore, punching capability is an important part of the solar structure machine requirement.

ZHONGTUO can integrate an automatic punching system based on the customer's profile drawing. The punching arrangement can be configured according to the required hole position, spacing, quantity, and production sequence.

After forming, the hydraulic post-cutting system separates the finished profile according to the programmed length. An Omron encoder provides length measurement, while the hydraulic cutting unit performs the final separation.

The specified length accuracy can reach ±1 mm, while the hole-position accuracy can also reach ±1 mm under suitable production conditions.

The cutting blades use Cr12MoV with quenching treatment, providing suitable wear resistance for repeated cutting operations.

Because the profile is formed before cutting, the system can maintain the finished section shape while separating individual pieces.

Complete Solar Purlin Production Solution

A complete solar panel structure machine needs to coordinate several production stages rather than simply form the steel strip. The ZHONGTUO line integrates the major processes into one continuous production system.

The standard configuration includes:

• 5T hydraulic decoiler

• Feeding and leveling unit

• Guide and alignment system

• Automatic punching system

• 19-station roll forming machine

• 30 kW servo drive

After the coil enters the line, the machine feeds and levels the material before forming it through multiple roller stations. If required, the punching unit creates the specified mounting holes. The hydraulic cutter then separates the completed profiles according to the programmed length.

Finally, the receiving table collects the finished solar structure sections for bundling, storage, or further assembly.

This integrated process reduces material handling between individual machines and gives manufacturers greater control over profile consistency and production parameters.

Customized Solar Structure Machine from China

The correct solar structure machine requirement depends on the actual profile rather than simply the intended application. A machine for a compact rooftop PV structure may require different tooling and punching arrangements from one designed for a large ground-mounted solar project.

For this reason, ZHONGTUO can configure the forming system according to the customer's drawings. Profile width, waist height, lip size, material thickness, steel grade, hole pattern, cutting length, and production speed can all be considered during machine design.

For the specified configuration, the machine handles 1–3 mm Q195/Q235/Q345B steel and supports customized C/U profiles. The combination of servo drive, PLC control, automatic size adjustment, hydraulic cutting, and encoder measurement provides a practical solution for manufacturers producing smaller PV structural sections.

ZHONGTUO manufactures the equipment in China and provides technical assistance for international customers, including machine testing, commissioning support, operator training, installation guidance, and after-sales service.

For manufacturers looking for a C purlin machine specially for making smaller sections for solar panel structure, providing the profile drawing and production requirements is the best starting point for determining the appropriate roll forming configuration.