What Is a Cable Tray Roll Forming Machine?
A cable tray roll forming machine is a cold roll forming line that produces cable tray profiles - ladder, perforated, solid bottom and trunking trays - from steel coil for electrical cable support systems. It combines decoiling, punching, forming and cutting into one continuous process, so one operator runs the whole line from the PLC screen. ZTRFM builds cable tray lines with automatic size adjustment and working width up to 1550 mm.
What Cable Trays It Produces
- Ladder cable tray - rung type tray for heavy cables, maximum airflow and low weight
- Perforated cable tray - ventilated bottom tray, the most common type for general installations
- Solid bottom tray - enclosed bottom for sensitive cables and EMI shielding
- Trunking and cover profiles - channel trunking with snap-on covers for indoor runs
The same line switches between tray types by changing the forming stations, so one machine can serve several product lines.
Materials and Thickness
Cable trays are formed from galvanized steel (GI), PPGI, PPGL, galvalume (GL) or stainless steel coil. ZTRFM cable tray lines process 0.8-1.5 mm coil as standard. Hot-dip galvanized trays are preferred for outdoor and industrial environments; stainless is specified for food, chemical and marine projects.
How the Line Works
Steel coil → decoiler → leveling → servo feeding → punching (side and bottom holes) → roll forming → cutting → stacking. The servo punch positions holes and cutouts with encoder-controlled accuracy, and the flying or hydraulic shear cuts tray sections to the exact length set on the HMI. Multi-function automatic size adjustment lets you change tray width and height without stopping the line for long changeovers.
Working Width and Sizes
Standard cable tray widths range from 50 mm to 800 mm; ZTRFM machines support a working width up to 1550 mm with automatic adjustment for your tray dimensions. Side height, hole pattern and length are all programmable, which keeps tooling cost low when you sell multiple tray sizes.
Applications
- Electrical and power distribution projects
- Data centers and server rooms
- Industrial plants and process facilities
- Infrastructure - tunnels, rail, airports and utility networks
How to Choose a Cable Tray Line
Define the tray types and sizes you sell, then match material thickness and punching needs. Ask the supplier for the number of forming stations, shaft diameter, punching force, line speed and whether trial report and video inspection are provided. For the full machine range, see the cable tray roll forming machine page, or compare upstream equipment such as the steel coil slitting line and related strut channel machines.
FAQ
Q: What types of cable trays can this machine produce?
A: Ladder tray, perforated tray, solid bottom tray and trunking with cover profiles. Type changeover is done by changing forming stations.
Q: What materials can a cable tray line process?
A: Galvanized steel, PPGI, PPGL, galvalume and stainless steel coil, typically 0.8-1.5 mm thickness.
Q: What is the working width of the machine?
A: ZTRFM cable tray lines support working width up to 1550 mm with multi-function automatic size adjustment for your tray dimensions.
Q: Does the line punch holes?
A: Yes. Servo-controlled punching positions side and bottom holes with encoder accuracy; cutting length is set from the HMI.
Q: What is the MOQ?
A: One set. ZTRFM is factory-direct with trial report and video inspection before delivery.
Q: How do I order a cable tray line?
A: Send your tray drawings, sizes and material requirements to steven@zt-rfm.com for a line layout and quotation.