ZHONGTUO manufactures a C purlin machine specially for making smaller sections for solar panel structure applications. The machine produces customized C/U-shaped steel profiles for photovoltaic mounting systems, solar carports, rooftop solar structures, and other lightweight steel applications.
Unlike heavy-duty purlin lines designed primarily for large building structures, this solar structure machine can be configured for smaller profile sections commonly required in photovoltaic support systems. It processes 1–3 mm Q195, Q235, and Q345B structural steel and integrates decoiling, leveling, feeding, roll forming, punching, hydraulic cutting, PLC control, and finished-product collection.
For solar structure manufacturers, dimensional consistency is particularly important because the finished sections must connect accurately with brackets, rails, clamps, and other components. Therefore, ZHONGTUO combines servo-driven forming, automatic size adjustment, encoder-based length measurement, and hydraulic post-cutting to support stable production.
The machine can produce customized solar structure sections with different widths, heights, lip dimensions, hole patterns, and cutting lengths according to the customer’s drawings.
C Purlin Machine for Smaller Solar Panel Structure Sections
Photovoltaic mounting systems often require smaller structural profiles than conventional industrial building purlins. These sections must remain sufficiently strong while fitting the dimensions and connection requirements of the solar mounting system.
For this reason, a C purlin machine specially for making smaller sections for solar panel structure can provide a practical production solution for manufacturers that need customized PV support profiles.
The ZHONGTUO machine can manufacture C/U sections with a C width of 40–200 mm, waist height of 40–70 mm, and lip of 8–20 mm. This range allows manufacturers to produce compact structural members for different photovoltaic applications.
The machine processes 1–3 mm structural steel, including Q195, Q235, and Q345B. Therefore, manufacturers can select the appropriate steel grade according to the required strength and structural design.
Typical applications include:
- Solar panel mounting structures
- Rooftop photovoltaic systems
- Ground-mounted solar systems
- Solar carports
- PV support structures
- Solar rails and structural sections
- Small steel support frames
- Renewable energy infrastructure
The final profile should always be selected according to the structural calculation, load requirements, connection method, and project design.
Solar Structure Sections and Machine Specifications
The required dimensions of solar structure sections vary between photovoltaic mounting systems. Some projects require compact C sections for support components, while others need larger profiles for longer spans or heavier loads.
ZHONGTUO therefore configures the machine according to the required profile drawing instead of using one fixed tooling arrangement.
| Item | ZHONGTUO Specification |
|---|---|
| Machine Type | C/U Solar Purlin Roll Forming Machine |
| Application | Solar Panel Structure / PV Mounting Structure |
| Material Thickness | 1–3 mm |
| Material Grade | Q195 / Q235 / Q345B |
| C Width | 40–200 mm |
| Waist Height | 40–70 mm |
| Lip | 8–20 mm |
| Lip Requirement | Lip ≤ 0.37 × Waist Height |
| Length Accuracy | ±1 mm |
| Hole-Position Accuracy | ±1 mm |
| Decoiler | 5T Hydraulic Decoiler |
| Uncoiling Width | 500 mm |
| Coil Inner Diameter | 450–550 mm |
| Forming Stations | 19 Rows |
| Roller Material | Cr12 |
| Roller Hardness | HRC 58–62 |
| Shaft Diameter | Ø70–Ø85 mm |
| Shaft Material | 40Cr |
| Transmission | Chain |
| Maximum Forming Speed | 25 m/min without punching |
| Comprehensive Speed | 12–18 m/min with punching |
| Main Drive | 30 kW Servo Motor |
| Cutting | Hydraulic Post-Cutting |
| Cutting Power | 11 kW + Cooling Device |
| Control System | PLC + Touch Screen |
| Encoder | Omron |
| Product Collection | Semi-Automatic Receiving Table |
The above specifications represent the supplied machine configuration. ZHONGTUO can modify the tooling and production system when a different solar profile or production requirement is specified.
Solar Structure Machine Requirements: Feeding, Forming and Size Adjustment
Before selecting a solar structure machine, manufacturers should first define the required profile dimensions, steel grade, material thickness, hole arrangement, finished length, and production capacity.
These factors determine the required forming stations, roller dimensions, punching system, cutting configuration, and drive capacity.
For the ZHONGTUO machine, the production line starts with a 5-ton hydraulic decoiler. The coil enters the feeding and leveling section, where guide shafts and rollers help maintain proper material alignment.
The leveling system uses three upper rollers and four lower rollers, together with two pinching shafts. The leveling rollers use Cr15 material with a diameter of approximately 75 mm.
After leveling, the steel strip enters the forming section. The machine uses 19 forming stations to gradually shape the flat strip into the required C/U profile.
The forming rollers use Cr12 material, with CNC machining and heat treatment to approximately HRC 58–62. Meanwhile, the forming shafts use 40Cr steel for strength and durability.
The main forming system uses a 30 kW servo motor with chain transmission. The maximum forming speed reaches approximately 25 m/min without punching, while production with punching generally operates at 12–18 m/min, depending on the punching pattern.
In addition, the machine supports automatic size adjustment through the PLC touch screen and control buttons. This feature makes it easier to switch between different solar structure sections without rebuilding the entire forming system.
Hydraulic Punching and Precision Cutting for PV Profiles
Many photovoltaic mounting profiles require holes for brackets, bolts, clamps, or other structural connections. Therefore, punching capability forms an important part of the solar structure machine requirement.
ZHONGTUO can integrate an automatic punching system according to the customer’s profile drawing. The punching position, hole spacing, and production sequence can be configured according to the required solar mounting structure.
After the profile passes through the forming stations, the hydraulic post-cutting system separates the finished C/U sections according to the programmed length.
An Omron encoder measures the production length, while the hydraulic cutting system performs the final cut. 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 to improve wear resistance during repeated production.
Because the machine forms the complete profile before cutting, the process helps maintain the designed cross-section through the final cutting stage.
Complete Solar Structure Machine Solution from ZHONGTUO
Choosing the right solar structure machine requires more than simply selecting a roll forming machine based on production speed. Manufacturers should consider the profile dimensions, steel grade, material thickness, hole configuration, production length, required accuracy, and expected production volume.
ZHONGTUO provides a complete production solution that combines:
- 5T hydraulic decoiler
- Feeding and leveling system
- Guide and alignment system
- Automatic punching system
- 19-station roll forming unit
- 30 kW servo drive
- PLC control cabinet
- Omron encoder
- Hydraulic post-cutting system
- Hydraulic station
- Semi-automatic receiving table
This configuration is particularly suitable when manufacturers need smaller solar structure sections rather than oversized structural purlins.
Moreover, ZHONGTUO can customize the machine according to customer drawings. The forming tooling, feeding width, punching layout, cutting length, control system, and other components can be adjusted according to the required application.
As a manufacturer in China, ZHONGTUO also provides machine testing, technical documentation, installation guidance, commissioning support, operator training, and after-sales service for international customers.
If your project requires a C purlin machine specially for making smaller sections for solar panel structure, ZHONGTUO can configure the production line according to your profile drawing and solar structure machine requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a C purlin machine for solar panel structures?
A C purlin machine forms flat steel coil into C-shaped structural profiles used in photovoltaic mounting systems, solar carports, rooftop structures, and other steel support applications.
Can the machine make smaller C sections for solar structures?
Yes. The supplied configuration supports C widths of 40–200 mm, waist heights of 40–70 mm, and lips of 8–20 mm. The final tooling depends on the required profile drawing.
What steel grades can the machine process?
The machine is configured for Q195, Q235, and Q345B structural steel with a thickness of 1–3 mm.
Can the solar structure machine automatically change profile sizes?
Yes. The machine supports automatic size adjustment through the PLC touch screen and control buttons, making specification changes more convenient.
Can it produce solar structure sections with holes?
Yes. An automatic punching system can be integrated according to the required hole size, position, spacing, and quantity.
What is the production speed?
The maximum forming speed is approximately 25 m/min without punching. With punching operations, the comprehensive speed is approximately 12–18 m/min, depending on the punching pattern.
Can ZHONGTUO customize the machine for my solar structure requirement?
Yes. ZHONGTUO can configure the roll tooling, punching system, feeding system, cutting length, automation system, and other components according to the customer’s solar structure machine requirement and technical drawings.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.