Automatic C-Z Purlin Roll Forming Machine Complete Guide
A CZ purlin roll forming machine produces both C-section and Z-section steel purlins on a single line, switching between profiles in 3–5 minutes through PLC-controlled automatic changeover. Zheng Liming has manufactured CZ purlin machines since 1989, with three standard models — CZ-300, CZ-350 and CZ-400 — covering C100–C400 mm and Z120–Z400 mm in steel thickness from 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm. This guide covers how a CZ purlin machine works, how the three models compare, what drives the price, and how to select the right configuration for your project.
What Is a Purlin Roll Forming Machine
Roll forming is a continuous cold-forming process that flattens and bends steel coil into fixed cross-section profiles. Purlin profiles are secondary structural members widely used in steel building frames for roofs and wall girts. While fixed single-profile machines only output one style, interchangeable variants like our CZ purlin machine combine multiple profile capabilities on one forming frame. For a broader overview of our full equipment range, see our roll forming technology overview.
Types of Purlin Profiles: C, Z, CZ, U, and Sigma
In the steel industry, specific nomenclature is assigned to structural shapes to simplify drawings and engineering documentation:
| Profile Type | Cross-Section | Primary Application | Key Feature |
| C Purlin | Channel shape with stiffened flanges | Wall framing, floor joists, light structural framing | Flange stiffeners increase load capacity |
| Z Purlin | Z-shape with overlapping ends | Roof framing, continuous span applications | Overlapping design enables continuous load transfer |
| U Purlin | Simple channel without stiffeners | Light structural support, bracing members | Economical for lighter loads |
| Sigma Purlin | Custom-engineered profile | Specialized structural requirements | Tailored to specific project needs |
Core Benefits of Our Purlin Forming Machine
1. Efficiency Boost
- Full-automatic production workflow from metal-coil feeding, leveling, punching, forming to cutting.
- Continuous roll forming process eliminates material repositioning, improves production efficiency by 50%+ compared to traditional processing.
2. Quality Assurance
- Siemens PLC control system ensures stable, consistent production.
- One-touch fast parameter adjustment minimizes human error.e holes, bottom holes and plum-blossom holes.
- Precision forming ensures consistent hole positions, accurate cutting length, and reliable interlocking performance.
3. Cost Savings
- High-speed forming improves output per shift.
- Consistent precision reduces material waste and rework rate.
- Long service life of rollers and tooling lowers maintenance cost.
4. Flexibility & Scalability
- Quick switch between C and Z profiles in 3–5 minutes.
- Supports C, Z, U, and Sigma profiles (based on model).
- Optional punching, stacking, and cutting configurations.
Automatic-Change-Over VS Manual-Adjust Purlin Machine
Both machine versions process C-section, Z-section and U-section purlins within the size range 100–300 mm.
| Comparison | Automatic Change-Over | Manual Adjust |
| Changeover Method | PLC one-touch | Manual screw/bolt adjustment |
| Changeover Time | 3–5 minutes | 20–40 minutes |
| Applicable Sizes | Multi-size, flexible orders | Limited size range |
| Best For | Mixed C/Z orders, variable production | Single-profile, long-run production |
| Cost | Higher initial investment | Lower upfront price |
| Labor Dependency | 1 operator, low skill | Skilled operator required |
| Precision Consistency | High, parameter locked | Dependent on operator |
| Punching Configuration | Automatic, synchronized | Manual setup |
| Tooling Change | Quick-change | Time-consuming |
| Recommended For | Fabricators with diverse orders | Factories with stable single-profile orders |
Key Insight: For factories running mixed C/Z orders, the automatic change-over model typically pays back its higher initial cost within 12–18 months through reduced changeover time and lower labor cost.
CZ Purlin Machine Models: CZ-300, CZ-350, CZ-400
Zheng Liming builds three standard CZ purlin roll forming machine models. All three share the same PLC-controlled automatic changeover system and 3–5 minute C-to-Z switching, but differ in profile range, material thickness capacity, main motor power, forming stations, and machine weight. Choosing the right CZ purlin machine model comes down to your largest profile size and heaviest steel thickness.
CZ-300 (Regular): Standard Range CZ Purlin Machine
The CZ-300 (Regular) is our most widely specified CZ purlin roll forming machine. It covers C purlin web heights from 100 mm to 300 mm and Z purlin web heights from 120 mm to 300 mm, with material thickness from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm. It features 17 main forming stations + 1 ribbing station + 2 shaping stations, driven by a 30 kW Inovance servo motor, delivering 0–30 m/min output. The main shaft is Φ75 mm, side plate thickness 38 mm, and machine weight approximately 17.0 tons with a 11,900 × 2,000 × 2,000 mm footprint. This model suits steel structure fabricators running mixed C and Z orders in the 100–300 mm range — the most common specification in warehouse and light industrial construction. See full specifications on our CZ-300 CZ purlin machine.
CZ-350 (Heavy-Duty): Extended Range for Larger Spans
The CZ-350 (Heavy-Duty) extends both C and Z purlin capacity to 350 mm web height. Material thickness rises to 3.5 mm, driven by a larger 40 kW Inovance servo motor. It shares the same 17 main forming stations + 1 ribbing station + 2 shaping stations configuration as the CZ-300, with Φ75 mm main shaft and 38 mm side plates. Machine weight increases to approximately 20.0 tons with a 12,400 × 2,000 × 2,000 mm footprint. Specify the CZ-350 when your projects call for longer roof spans or heavier snow and wind loads, where 300 mm purlins no longer meet the structural calculation. See full specifications on our CZ-350 CZ purlin machine.
CZ-400 (Extra-Heavy): Heavy-Duty CZ Purlin Machine
The CZ-400 (Extra-Heavy) is the heavy-duty end of our CZ purlin machine range. C and Z purlin web heights reach 160–400 mm, flange width extends to 50–120 mm, and material thickness capacity goes up to 4.0 mm. It features 21 main forming stations + 1 ribbing station + 2 shaping stations, a 52 kW Inovance servo motor, a reinforced frame with 43 mm side plates, and a Φ95 mm main shaft. Output is 0–30 m/min. The machine weighs approximately 38.0 tons with a 17,500 × 2,600 × 2,100 mm footprint. This model is specified for heavy industrial buildings, large-span portal frames, and projects using Q345 or higher-grade steel. See full specifications on our our purlin machine series.
CZ-300 vs CZ-350 vs CZ-400: Which Model Fits Your Project
The table below compares the three CZ purlin machine models on the parameters that most often decide a purchase. All values are based on our standard factory configuration. If your profile drawings fall between two models, choose the larger one — an oversized CZ purlin machine runs your smaller profiles without difficulty, while an undersized machine cannot be upgraded later.
| Parameter | CZ-300 (Regular) | CZ-350 (Heavy-Duty) | CZ-400 (Extra-Heavy) |
| C purlin web range | 100–300 mm | 100–350 mm | 160–400 mm |
| Z purlin web range | 120–300 mm | 120–300 mm | 160–400 mm |
| Flange width range | 45–100 mm | 55–120 mm | 50–120 mm |
| Material thickness | 1.5–3.0 mm | 2.0–3.5 mm | 2.0–4.0 mm |
| Steel yield strength | 235 / 345 MPa | 235 / 345 MPa | 235 / 345 MPa |
| Main forming stations | 17 | 17 | 21 |
| Auxiliary stations | +1 rib +2 shaping | +1 rib +2 shaping | +1 rib +2 shaping |
| Main motor power | 30 kW (Inovance servo) | 40 kW (Inovance servo) | 52 kW (Inovance servo) |
| Production speed | 0–30 m/min | 0–30 m/min | 0–30 m/min |
| Changeover type | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Main shaft diameter | Φ75 mm | Φ75 mm | Φ95 mm |
| Side plate thickness | 38 mm | 38 mm | 43 mm |
| Machine dimension (L×W×H) | 11.9 × 2.0 × 2.0 m | 12.4 × 2.0 × 2.0 m | 17.5 × 2.6 × 2.1 m |
| Machine weight | approx. 17.0 T | approx. 20.0 T | approx. 38.0 T |
| Typical application | Warehouse, light industrial | Medium span, higher loads | Heavy industrial, large span |
Two selection rules that save most buyers a costly mistake. First, match the model to your heaviest thickness, not your average — a CZ purlin machine running at its thickness limit wears rollers faster and produces looser tolerances. Second, confirm the Z purlin web height against your structural drawings before ordering; upgrading from CZ-300 to CZ-350 after delivery is not possible because the roller set and frame geometry differ.
CZ Purlin Production Line: Speed, Output and Line Layout
A complete CZ purlin production line runs from decoiler to finished bundle in six stages. Understanding the throughput of each stage tells you where a bottleneck will appear once you scale to two or three shifts.
| Stage | Equipment | Typical Cycle |
| 1. Coil loading | Hydraulic decoiler, 5–10 t capacity | 2–3 min per coil |
| 2. Feeding and leveling | 7-roller leveling unit (4 top, 3 bottom) | Continuous |
| 3. Pre-punching | Hydraulic punching unit, multi-cylinder | Synchronized with line speed |
| 4. Roll forming | 17–21 main stations, Cr12 rollers | 0–30 m/min |
| 5. Cutting | Hydraulic flying shear or post-cut | ±1 mm tolerance |
| 6. Stacking | Manual, or pneumatic auto stacker | Auto stacker saves 1 operator |
At an average forming speed of 15 m/min with a 6 m purlin length, a CZ purlin machine produces roughly 150 pieces per hour — about 900 meters of finished purlin per shift. When running at the maximum 30 m/min, output roughly doubles to about 300 pieces per hour, provided the punching and stacking stages can keep pace. Adding a pneumatic auto stacker removes the single most labor-intensive step and typically pays back within 8–12 months on a two-shift operation.
Line layout matters more than most buyers expect. A CZ-400 configured with decoiler, pre-punching, forming, cutting, and auto stacker needs about 17.5 meters of floor length and 2.6 meters of width, plus forklift access at both ends. Confirm your bay dimensions before finalizing the order — relocating a CZ purlin production line after installation is expensive.
CZ Purlin Machine for Steel Structure Projects
CZ purlin machines serve any operation that converts steel coil into secondary structural framing. The six scenarios below cover the majority of our CZ purlin machine installations across 96 countries.
1. Steel Structure Warehouses and Logistics Centers
Warehouse roof and wall framing is the single largest application for CZ purlin machines. A typical 10,000 m² logistics building uses 300–500 tons of purlins in mixed C and Z configurations, which makes the automatic changeover of a CZ purlin machine far more economical than running two separate fixed-profile lines. For wall framing details, you can read our C purlin guide.
2. Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEB)
PEB manufacturers run high volumes of Z purlins for roof framing and C purlins for wall girts on the same order. A CZ purlin machine lets one line cover both without a second machine, second operator, or second floor footprint. You can learn roof load details in our Z purlin guide.
3. Cold Storage and Agricultural Buildings
Cold storage facilities require closely spaced purlins to carry insulation panels and snow loads. CZ-350 and CZ-400 models are commonly specified here because the heavier Z purlin sections handle the additional dead load without increasing purlin count.
4. Roofing and Cladding Contractors
Contractors who both manufacture and install benefit from producing purlins to exact site lengths, eliminating cut waste and transport cost. A CZ purlin machine running on site reduces lead time from days to hours.
5. Steel Service Centers and Distributors
Service centers producing purlins to order need fast changeover between profile sizes. The PLC one-touch changeover on our CZ purlin machine completes a C-to-Z switch in 3–5 minutes, which makes short-run and made-to-order production viable.
6. Export-Oriented Purlin Manufacturers
Suppliers exporting to markets with different structural codes need a CZ purlin machine that covers the full C100–C400 and Z120–Z400 envelope in one unit, since re-tooling for each destination market is impractical.
CZ-300 (Regular) Key Technical Specifications
| Item | Specification |
| Material Thickness | 1.5–3.0 mm |
| C Purlin Range | C100–C300 mm |
| Z Purlin Range | Z120–Z300 mm |
| Flange Width Range | 45–100 mm |
| Production Speed | 0–30 m/min |
| Main Forming Stations | 17 + 1 rib + 2 shaping |
| Roller Material | Cr12, precision machined, heat treated, surface polished |
| Roller Hardness | HRC 58-62 |
| Main Shaft | Φ75 mm, 45# steel |
| Side Plate | 38 mm, archway type |
| Main Motor | 30 kW Inovance servo motor |
| Control System | Siemens touch screen + Omron encoder + wireless remote |
| Punching | Bottom single hole, bottom double hole, flange double hole (14×22 mm) |
| Cutting System | Universal shear, Cr12MoV, tolerance ±1 mm |
| Hydraulic Station | 18.5 kW, 400 L oil tank |
| Machine Dimension | 11,900 × 2,000 × 2,000 mm |
| Machine Weight | approx. 17.0 T |
Key Machine Features
- Full-automatic production workflow from metal-coil feeding, leveling, punching, forming to cutting.
- PLC-powered stepless profile switching between C-type and Z-type sections.
- One-touch fast parameter adjustment for different profile sizes.
- High-precision forming with consistent hole positions and cutting length.
- Heavy welded main frame for stable long-time continuous running.
- Emergency stop protection and fault alarm on HMI.
CZ Purlin Roll Forming Machine Price and Factory Quote
Buyers searching for a CZ purlin roll forming machine price usually find ranges that are too wide to be useful. The reason is that a CZ purlin machine is configured, not catalogued — five variables move the price more than anything else.
| Price Driver | Effect on Total Cost | Notes |
| Model size (CZ-300 → CZ-400) | +25% to +40% | Larger frame, more stations, bigger motor (30kW→52kW) |
| Manual vs automatic changeover | +15% to +25% | Auto adds PLC-driven bushing system |
| Punching configuration | +10% to +20% | Cylinder count and hole pattern complexity |
| Auto stacker | +8% to +15% | Removes one operator per shift |
| Decoiler capacity (5 t vs 10 t) | +5% to +10% | Determines coil size you can buy |
Because of these variables we quote factory-direct after reviewing your profile drawings, target output, and material spec — not from a published list. Send us three things and you will receive a complete technical proposal with price within 24 hours: your purlin profile drawing (C or Z section with dimensions), the steel grade and thickness range, and your required output in meters per shift.
As a reference point, buyers comparing CZ purlin roll forming machine prices across suppliers should ask each one the same five questions: what is the roller material and hardness, how many forming stations, what is the cutting tolerance, what is included in the warranty, and what is the spare parts lead time. Suppliers who answer all five specifically are usually quoting a real configuration rather than a placeholder number. If you are selecting a supplier, check our guide: How to choose a CZ purlin machine supplier.
How to Choose a CZ Purlin Machine Supplier
Many buyers focus only on price, but stable after-sales and accurate forming quality decide your long-term production cost. Reliable CZ purlin machine suppliers should provide clear technical drawings, roller lifetime guarantee, on-site installation guidance and spare parts support.
Check the factory's export history, case references in your region, and whether they test each CZ purlin machine before shipment. Avoid vendors who cannot confirm profile tolerance and roller material specification in writing.
CZ Purlin Machine Maintenance and After-Sales
Routine maintenance keeps your CZ purlin production line running at stable speed and reduces unexpected downtime. The core maintenance items include roller surface cleaning, gearbox oil replacement, guide rail lubrication, and hydraulic oil inspection for flying shear.
Our after-sales package includes operation manual, remote video guidance, and overseas engineer service for large projects. Spare rollers, cutting blades and seals can be shipped separately when you place a reorder.
Frequently Asked Questions About Purlin Machine
Q1: What is the difference between C purlin and Z purlin?
A1: C purlins are open C-channel sections, mainly used for wall girts and simple connections on one side. Z purlins are overlapping Z sections, designed for long-span roof structures with lap splicing. A CZ purlin machine covers both on one interchangeable forming line.
Q2: What is a CZ purlin roll forming machine?
A2: A CZ purlin roll forming machine is an adjustable cold forming line that switches between C purlin and Z purlin profiles automatically for mixed steel structure orders.
Q3: Can your purlin machine switch between C and Z profiles automatically?
A3: Yes. Our automatic CZ purlin machine completes a C-to-Z changeover in 3–5 minutes through PLC one-touch parameter recall, with no manual bushing replacement. Manual-adjust models require 20–40 minutes and are recommended only for fixed-specification, high-volume production.
Q4: What materials can your purlin machine process?
A4: Cold-rolled steel and galvanized steel, Q235 and Q345 high-strength steel, thickness matching your selected CZ model (1.5–4.0 mm depending on model).
Q5: What is the difference between CZ-300, CZ-350 and CZ-400?
A5: The three CZ purlin machine models differ mainly in profile capacity, material thickness, motor power, and machine weight. CZ-300 (Regular) covers C100–300 mm / Z120–300 mm at 1.5–3.0 mm thickness, with 17 main forming stations and a 30 kW servo motor. CZ-350 (Heavy-Duty) extends the range to C100–350 mm / Z120–350 mm at 2.0–3.5 mm thickness, with 17 main forming stations and a 40 kW servo motor. CZ-400 (Extra-Heavy) handles C160–400 mm / Z160–400 mm at 2.0–4.0 mm thickness, with 21 main forming stations and a 52 kW servo motor. All three use PLC one-touch automatic changeover. Select based on your largest Z profile and heaviest steel thickness.
Q6: What is the output capacity of a CZ purlin production line?
A6: At an average forming speed of 15 m/min with 6-meter purlin lengths, a CZ purlin machine produces roughly 150 pieces or 900 meters per 8-hour shift. At the maximum 30 m/min, output roughly doubles to about 300 pieces per hour, provided downstream punching and stacking can keep pace. Adding a pneumatic auto stacker removes the manual stacking step and typically allows one operator to run the line.
Q7: Can the machine punch holes automatically?
A7: Yes, hydraulic pre-punching unit is standard on all three models, with customizable hole pitch and hole pattern for purlin connection. Standard hole sizes are 14×22 mm for bottom single hole, bottom double hole, and flange double hole configurations.
Q8: Can one CZ purlin machine produce Sigma and U profiles as well?
A8: Our 4-in-1 C/C+/Z/Sigma configuration supports all four profile families on a single line. Standard CZ models cover C, Z, and U. If your order mix includes Sigma sections, specify the 4-in-1 configuration when requesting a quotation, as the roller set differs.
Q9: What after-sales support does Zheng Liming provide for overseas customers?
A9: Standard warranty is 12 months from machine arrival, excluding consumable parts such as rollers, cutting blades and seals. We can send professional engineers to your workshop for machine installation, commissioning and operator training for large orders. Spare rollers, cutting blades and seals can be shipped separately when you place a reorder.
Q10: What is your typical lead time for a CZ purlin machine?
A10: Standard lead time is 90 working days for CZ-300 and CZ-350, and120 working days for the heavy-duty CZ-400, from deposit receipt and drawing confirmation, excluding shipping time. Custom roller sets, 4-in-1 configurations or special voltage requirements may require additional time, confirmed at order stage.
Related Reading
Continue exploring our roll forming knowledge base: Roll Forming Technology Leader — full-set cold roll forming equipment overview
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Global service coverage: 96 countries | 500+ projects | 140+ patents | Since 1989
Zheng Liming Machinery has been a trusted purlin roll forming machine manufacturer since 1989. Our C/Z/U profile roll forming equipment is used by steel structure manufacturers worldwide for automated, high-precision purlin production.
