Cable Tray Roll Forming Machine | Brother Union - China

Cable Tray Roll Forming Machine by Brother Union

The Brother Union cable tray roll forming machine is an automatic production line for high-volume manufacturing of perforated metal cable trays and cable tray covers. The line combines a hydraulic uncoiler, servo feeder, mechanical punch press, pre-cut shear, gearbox-driven roll forming mill, and output conveyor, turning steel coil into finished, punched trays in one continuous process. It is built by Brother Union Machinery in Xinxiang, China, which designs custom lines for cable trays, cable ladders, and related products.

What Is a Cable Tray?

A cable tray is a metal support system that carries electrical power, control, and data cables through buildings and industrial plants. The most common type is the perforated or ventilated tray, a U-shaped channel with a punched base and side walls that lets heat escape and allows cables to be tied down. Cable trays are used in factories, power plants, data centers, commercial buildings, tunnels, and infrastructure projects, and are usually made from pre-galvanized, hot-dip galvanized, or stainless steel. Matching covers protect cables from falling debris, sunlight, and moisture.

How the Line Works

1. Hydraulic uncoiler. A hydraulic uncoiler holds and expands the steel coil, and feeds the strip smoothly into the line.

2. Servo feeding. A servo feeder advances the strip in precise steps so every hole lands in the correct position.

3. Mechanical punching. A mechanical punch press stamps the perforation pattern in the tray base and the slots in the side walls.

4. Pre-cut shear. The punched strip is cut to length before forming. Pre-cutting gives clean, square tray ends and lets the line run different lengths without a profile-specific cut-off die.

5. Roll forming. A gearbox-driven roll forming mill forms each blank into the tray profile. Gearbox drive gives steady, even power across all stations, which suits heavier tray widths.

6. Output conveyor. Finished trays leave the mill on the product conveyor, ready for stacking or packing.

Typical Specifications

The figures below show a standard configuration for a cable tray roll forming line of this type. Brother Union builds each line to the customer's tray drawings, so confirm exact figures when requesting a quote.

Material
Material type: Pre-galvanized steel, hot-dip galvanized steel, cold rolled steel, stainless steel, or aluminum
Material thickness: 0.8 to 2.5 mm

Finished Tray
Tray width: 50 to 600 mm, to customer drawing
Side height: 50 to 150 mm
Products: Perforated cable trays and cable tray covers
Width change: Manual spacer adjustment, or automatic motorized width change as an option
Length tolerance: ±1 mm

Uncoiler
Type: Hydraulic expanding uncoiler
Capacity: 5 to 10 tons

Punching
Feeder: Servo feeder
Press: Mechanical punch press, 63 to 125 tons
Die material: Cr12MoV or SKD11, hardened to HRC 58 to 62
Tooling: Quick-change punching dies

Cutting
Cutting type: Hydraulic pre-cut shear

Roll Forming Mill
Drive: Gearbox
Forming stations: 14 to 20
Shaft diameter: 70 to 90 mm
Roller material: GCr15 or Cr12MoV, hardened
Main motor power: 11 to 22 kW
Forming speed: 8 to 15 m/min, depending on punching pattern

Control System
PLC: Siemens, Mitsubishi, or equivalent, with touch screen
Remote support: Brother Union remote connection system
Power supply: 380 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase, customizable to local voltage

Key Features

Complete automatic line. Uncoiling, punching, cutting, and forming run in one line from coil to finished tray.

Accurate hole placement. Servo feeding and mechanical punching keep perforations and slots in consistent positions for easy site assembly.

Pre-cut design. Cutting before forming gives clean tray ends and flexible lengths without changing cut-off tooling.

Gearbox drive. A gearbox-driven mill delivers smooth, even torque for stable forming and long service life.

Trays and covers. The line can be configured to produce both cable trays and matching covers.

Engineered by a custom specialist. Brother Union designs roller tooling to the customer's tray drawings, and supports lines remotely after installation.

Applications

This line is built for cable management manufacturers, electrical contractors with in-house fabrication, and steel fabricators supplying cable trays for factories, power and energy plants, oil and gas facilities, data centers, commercial buildings, tunnels, and infrastructure projects.

About the Manufacturer

Brother Union Machinery, founded in 2008 in Xinxiang, Henan Province, China, builds custom roll forming lines and coil processing equipment. It has supplied more than 100 roll forming companies in over 20 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, India, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Its engineers install and commission lines on site, and a remote connection system lets them troubleshoot machines in customer factories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a cable tray roll forming machine make?
It makes perforated metal cable trays and cable tray covers from steel coil, punching, cutting, and forming them in one line.

What are the main parts of the Brother Union cable tray line?
The line includes a hydraulic uncoiler, servo feeder, mechanical punch press, pre-cut shear, gearbox-driven roll forming mill, and output conveyor.

Why does the line cut before forming?
Pre-cutting gives clean tray ends and lets the line produce different lengths without a profile-specific post-cut die.

What thickness steel do cable tray lines use?
Cable tray lines typically run steel 0.8 to 2.5 mm thick, depending on tray size and load rating.

Can one line make different tray widths?
Most cable tray lines can make several widths, either by manual spacer adjustment or automatic width change. Confirm the width range with Brother Union.

Can it make cable tray covers?
Yes. Brother Union's line is designed for both cable trays and cable tray covers.

Can it run stainless steel?
Cable tray lines can be built for stainless steel. Tell Brother Union your material grade and thickness when requesting a quote.

Does Brother Union install the line?
Yes. Brother Union engineers install and commission the line on site and provide remote support afterward.