Pitless Purlin Production: The Future of Purlin Rollforming

1 day ago
2 min read

For decades, high-speed purlin rollforming lines have typically required a deep coil pit between the uncoiler and punching system. The pit provides a material buffer that helps manage the rapid acceleration and deceleration required during high-speed punching.

But does a modern purlin line still need a pit?

ASC Machine Tools is changing the answer.

Eliminating the Coil Pit

ASC's Lightning Uncoiler™ is an electrically driven, servo-controlled uncoiler designed specifically for high-speed purlin production. Working together with ASC's servo-driven Feed Roll Tower and proprietary control technology, the system actively controls material payout and synchronizes the coil with the punching process.

Instead of relying on a large loop of accumulated material to absorb changes in speed, the Lightning Uncoiler™ actively accelerates and decelerates the coil as production demands change. The result is high-speed purlin production without a traditional 8- to 10-foot-deep coil pit.

More Than Eliminating Concrete

Going pitless provides advantages beyond construction savings.

Greater Facility Flexibility

Without a permanent pit, manufacturers have greater freedom when planning their production floor and future equipment layout.

Reduced Installation Costs

Eliminating excavation, reinforcement, waterproofing and drainage requirements can simplify installation and reduce the costs associated with constructing a deep pit.

Improved Operator Safety

Removing a large floor opening eliminates a significant fall hazard and creates a cleaner, more accessible production environment.

Precise Material Control

Servo-controlled coil payout, laser loop control and real-time coil diameter measurement work together to minimize the effects of coil inertia and maintain precise material control during high-speed production.

The Future of Purlin Production

Pitless technology represents a fundamental change in how high-speed purlin lines can be designed. Instead of designing the factory around a coil pit, manufacturers can design the production system around flexibility, automation and intelligent material control.

With the Lightning Uncoiler™, ASC is helping move purlin production from traditional pit-based systems toward a new generation of high-speed, pitless rollforming technology.