C & Z Purlin Interchangeable Roll Forming Machine User Manual | Setup, PLC Controls & Operation Guide

C & Z Purlin Interchangeable Machine Manual

Complete Setup, Operation, Controls and Production Guide

Introduction

This C & Z Purlin Interchangeable Roll Forming Machine Manual provides a complete guide for safely setting up, operating, and maintaining a roll forming production line used to manufacture both C purlins and Z purlins.

An interchangeable purlin machine allows operators to produce multiple purlin sizes and both C and Z profiles on a single machine. This flexibility reduces tooling changeover time and allows steel building manufacturers to produce a wide range of structural components.

C and Z purlins are widely used in:

• steel building roof systems
• structural wall framing
• warehouses and industrial buildings
• agricultural buildings
• commercial steel structures

This manual explains:

• loading steel coil onto the uncoiler
• preparing and feeding strip into the machine
• adjusting the machine between C and Z profiles
• programming purlin lengths and hole positions
• operating PLC controls and jog functions
• testing punching and cutting systems
• inspecting finished purlins
• troubleshooting production problems

This manual is intended for:

• roll forming machine operators
• steel building manufacturers
• structural steel fabricators
• metal fabrication companies
• maintenance technicians

1. Machine Overview

A C & Z Purlin Interchangeable Roll Forming Machine forms flat steel strip into structural C or Z shaped purlins using adjustable roll forming stations.

The machine uses quick-change tooling adjustments or automatic size adjustment systems to switch between C and Z profiles without replacing roll tooling.

Interchangeable purlin machines allow manufacturers to produce:

• C purlins
• Z purlins
• multiple purlin sizes
• variable flange heights

These machines provide:

• flexible production
• reduced tooling change time
• high production efficiency
• multi-profile manufacturing capability

These profiles are widely used in:

• steel building roof structures
• industrial building frames
• warehouse buildings
• agricultural structures
• commercial steel buildings

Typical Materials Processed

Common materials include:

• galvanized steel
• high tensile structural steel
• hot rolled steel

Typical Material Thickness

1.5 mm – 3.5 mm

Heavy-duty machines may process material up to 4.0 mm thick.

Typical Production Speed

10 – 25 meters per minute

Production speed depends on punching operations and material thickness.

2. Typical Machine Layout

A typical interchangeable purlin roll forming production line includes:

• Hydraulic Uncoiler
• Coil Leveling System
• Entry Guide System
• Hydraulic Punching Unit
• Roll Forming Stations with Adjustable Tooling
• Encoder Length Measuring System
• Hydraulic Cutting System
• PLC Control Panel
• Runout Table or Automatic Stacker

Material flow:

Steel Coil → Leveler → Punching Unit → Roll Forming Stations → Encoder → Hydraulic Cutoff → Finished Purlins

3. Safety Before Operating the Machine

Operators must complete safety checks before starting production.

Pre-Start Safety Inspection

Before starting the machine ensure:

• emergency stop buttons function correctly
• machine guards are installed
• hydraulic hoses are secure
• electrical cabinets are closed
• no loose tools are inside the machine

Required Personal Protective Equipment

Operators should wear:

• safety glasses
• steel toe boots
• gloves for handling steel
• hearing protection

Important Safety Rules

• never reach between rotating rolls
• never stand near punching tools during operation
• never remove guards while machine is running
• stop machine before making adjustments

4. How to Load Steel Coil onto the Uncoiler

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Stop the roll forming machine completely.
2. Retract the uncoiler mandrel.
3. Lift coil using forklift or overhead crane.
4. Position the coil directly in front of the mandrel.
5. Slide the coil onto the mandrel.
6. Expand mandrel until the coil is secured.
7. Center the coil evenly.
8. Install hold-down arm if available.
9. Adjust uncoiler brake tension.

What to Watch For

• coil not centered
• coil slipping on mandrel
• excessive brake pressure
• loose mandrel expansion

Improper loading can cause strip tracking issues and inaccurate punching positions.

5. Preparing the Coil Leading Edge

Before feeding strip into the machine the coil edge must be prepared.

Procedure

1. Carefully remove steel banding.
2. Prevent sudden coil expansion.
3. Inspect first 300–500 mm of strip.
4. Cut away damaged material.
5. Square the leading edge.
6. Remove burrs if necessary.

Why This Step Matters

Damaged strip edges can cause:

• feeding problems
• punching misalignment
• machine jams
• inaccurate forming

6. Threading the Coil Through the Machine

Procedure

1. Open entry guides fully.
2. Feed strip into leveling system.
3. Feed strip through punching unit.
4. Use jog mode to move strip forward.
5. Continue feeding through roll forming stations.
6. Guide strip through cutting section.
7. Feed strip onto runout table.

Safety Warning

Never place hands near punching tools or roll forming stations while machine is running.

7. Aligning and Centering the Strip

Correct strip alignment ensures accurate punching and forming.

Procedure

1. Observe strip entering the punching unit.
2. Adjust entry guides left or right.
3. Ensure strip runs parallel to machine centerline.
4. Maintain equal clearance between guides.
5. Run machine slowly to observe strip tracking.

Signs of Poor Alignment

• holes not centered
• purlin twisting
• uneven flange shape
• strip drifting sideways

8. Complete C & Z Purlin Machine Setup Parameters

Before production begins the machine must be configured correctly.

Material Type: Galvanized / Structural Steel
Material Thickness Range: 1.5 – 3.5 mm
Coil Width: 150 – 400 mm depending on purlin size
Coil Weight: Up to 10 tons
Coil Inner Diameter: 450 – 520 mm
Entry Guide Clearance: Coil width + 1–2 mm
Forming Stations: 16 – 22 stations
Machine Speed (Setup): 5 – 10 m/min
Machine Speed (Production): 10 – 25 m/min

Roll Gap Setup

Roll gap should be set to:

Material thickness + 0.05–0.10 mm clearance

Example:

Material thickness = 2.5 mm
Recommended roll gap = 2.60 mm

Incorrect roll gap may cause:

• purlin distortion
• excessive roll wear
• inaccurate profile shape

9. PLC Control System Overview

Modern interchangeable purlin machines use a PLC touchscreen control system.

The PLC controls:

• machine start and stop
• purlin length programming
• punching position programming
• machine speed control
• hydraulic cutting timing
• encoder measurement
• automatic size adjustment

10. PLC Control Panel Functions

Typical controls include:

Start Button – starts machine
Stop Button – stops machine
Emergency Stop – emergency shutdown
Manual Mode – used for setup
Automatic Mode – used for production
Purlin Length Input – sets length
Punch Position Input – sets hole locations
Size Adjustment Controls – adjust flange height and web width
Production Counter – displays quantity

11. Changing Between C and Z Profiles

Interchangeable machines allow quick conversion between profiles.

Procedure

1. Stop machine completely.
2. Select profile type on PLC screen.
3. Adjust roll forming stations if required.
4. Confirm flange orientation settings.
5. Run machine slowly for test profile.
6. Inspect profile shape before full production.

Some machines include automatic profile change systems controlled by the PLC.

12. Programming Purlin Length

Procedure

1. Open PLC production screen
2. Enter required purlin length
3. Confirm measurement units
4. Run test purlin
5. Measure finished length
6. Adjust encoder calibration if required

13. Programming Punch Hole Positions

Procedure

1. Open punching control screen
2. Enter hole spacing and positions
3. Confirm punching sequence
4. Run test purlin
5. Verify hole positions

14. Encoder Length Measurement System

Purlin length is measured using an encoder wheel contacting the strip.

Typical accuracy:

±1 – 2 mm

15. Hydraulic Punching Operation

The punching system creates bolt holes in the purlin.

Punching sequence:

1. Strip reaches programmed position
2. PLC activates hydraulic punch
3. Punch presses through strip
4. Punch retracts

16. Hydraulic Cutting Operation

The hydraulic shear cuts purlins to programmed length.

Cutting sequence:

1. Encoder measures programmed length
2. PLC activates hydraulic valve
3. Hydraulic cylinder moves cutting blade
4. Purlin is cut

17. Inspecting Finished C and Z Purlins

Operators should inspect purlins during production.

Inspection checklist:

• purlin length
• flange height
• web width
• hole positions
• hole diameter
• straightness

18. Purlin Production Troubleshooting Guide

Purlin Twisting
Possible Causes: strip misalignment.
Recommended Solution: adjust entry guides.

Incorrect Hole Position
Possible Causes: punching timing incorrect.
Recommended Solution: adjust PLC punching program.

Profile Distortion
Possible Causes: roll gap incorrect.
Recommended Solution: adjust roll stations.

Surface Scratches
Possible Causes: debris on rollers.
Recommended Solution: clean rollers.

22. C & Z Purlin Interchangeable Machine Technical Specifications

Forming Stations: 16 – 22 stations
Material Thickness Range: 1.5 – 3.5 mm
Production Speed: 10 – 25 m/min
Drive System: Gearbox or chain drive
Punching System: Hydraulic punching unit
Cutting System: Hydraulic cutoff
Control System: PLC touchscreen control
Coil Weight Capacity: 5 – 10 tons
Coil Inner Diameter: 450 – 520 mm
Electrical Power Requirement: 380 – 480V three-phase power

23. Best Operator Practices

Experienced operators follow these practices:

• inspect the first purlin carefully
• verify hole positions before production
• maintain proper strip alignment
• keep rollers clean
• stop machine immediately if abnormal noise occurs

Proper operation ensures accurate C and Z purlin production and long machine life.