Same purpose, two different production routes

Electrical conduit can be produced from both rigid PVC and polyethylene. Both serve the same basic purpose, but the product leaves the factory in a different form: rigid PVC pipe is cut into fixed lengths, bundled and shipped, while PE pipe is wound into coils. This single difference determines the structure of the production line from beginning to end.

DFC Makine manufactures both lines: the Rigid PVC Line (stock code DFC HAT 0005) and the Coiled Pipe Production Line (stock code DFC HAT 0002). The comparison below is based entirely on the technical data of these two lines.

Product form: coil or fixed length?

This is the first question to answer because the unit at the end of the line changes accordingly. In the Coiled Pipe Production Line, after the caterpillar haul-off comes a 2 × 1.5 kW fully automatic winding machine. The pipe is wound into a coil without stopping the production line. When the coil is completed, a 1.5 kW circular saw automatic cutter is activated, and a 3-meter pneumatic tilting table transfers the coil to the stacking area.

In the Rigid PVC Line, the product is not wound: a 1.5 kW automatic cutter cuts the product to the required length, and a 4-meter pneumatic tilting table unloads the cut lengths. Therefore, instead of trying to use the same line for both coiled and fixed-length production, the line should be selected according to your sales format.

Diameter range and capacity

The Coiled Pipe Production Line is offered with 12 different dies: Ø14, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 75, 90, 110 and 125 mm. The vacuum tank and cooling tank are also configured according to this range. The line operates at a capacity of 120 – 400 kg/hour, while the caterpillar haul-off can reach speeds of up to 2,500 m/hour.

These two figures should be considered together: the 2,500 m/hour speed is achieved with thin-wall pipes having a meter weight of 48 – 160 g, typically Ø16 – Ø32 mm concealed electrical conduit. As the diameter increases, the meter weight increases and the line slows down in meters per hour, while the capacity in kilograms remains the relevant production measure. The same principle applies to the Rigid PVC Line: 120 – 300 kg/hour capacity and 1,200 m/hour haul-off speed correspond to products with a meter weight of approximately 100 – 250 g.

It is more accurate to define your capacity target in kilograms rather than meters. To convert it into meters, you only need to know the meter weight of the pipe you plan to produce.

Cooling: the most visible difference between the two lines

PE pipe must be cooled sufficiently after leaving the die so that it can be wound into a coil. For this reason, the Coiled Pipe Production Line has a 3 – 6 meter vacuum tank followed by an additional 3 – 12 meter cooling tank. In the Rigid PVC Line, a 3 – 6 meter vacuum table is sufficient.

The practical result is that the coiled pipe line requires a longer installation area at the same capacity. When planning the factory layout, the cooling tank length of 3 – 12 meters should be selected according to the target line speed.

Raw material and recycling

Both lines are designed to operate with virgin and recycled raw materials. The difference lies in the filtration configuration: the Coiled Pipe Production Line includes a 2 × 120 mm hydraulic filter unit as standard, while the raw material feeding unit of the Rigid PVC Line can be supplied with double filtration upon request.

If you plan to use recycled raw material, this unit directly affects the number of production stops required for die cleaning. It is therefore useful to ask specifically about the filtration configuration when requesting a quotation.

What does the material itself tell you?

Rigid PVC (U-PVC) pipe is hard and maintains its shape. It is transported in fixed lengths, joined with fittings and provides a straight route in installation. DFC's Rigid PVC Line page also states that the line can be used for rigid PVC product groups such as doors and windows, meaning the line is not limited to pipe production and can also be configured for rigid PVC profiles.

Polyethylene pipe is flexible and can be transported in coils. Because it is supplied in long continuous lengths, it can reduce the number of joints and adapt to curved concealed installations. DFC's Coiled Pipe Production Line page states that the line can be used for both concealed electrical conduit and irrigation pipe production, allowing the same line to serve two different markets.

Rigid PVC Line vs. Coiled (PE) Line: side-by-side comparison

All values below are taken from the technical tables on DFC Makine's two product pages.

Making the decision in five questions

Clarify these five questions before requesting a quotation and the appropriate line will become much clearer:

1. Will you sell your product in coils or fixed lengths?
   If it is coiled, you need a line with a winding machine. If it is fixed length, you need a cutting and stacking system.
2. What diameter range will you produce?
   The coiled line offers 12 die options between Ø14 – 125 mm. Providing your target diameters in advance makes the die and calibration list clear.
3. Is your capacity target in kilograms or meters?
   A kilogram target directly defines the production requirement (120 – 400 kg/h). A meter target only becomes meaningful when the pipe's meter weight is known.
4. Will you use recycled raw material?
   If yes, include the required filter configuration in the quotation because it directly affects production downtime.
5. How much space can you allocate for the line?
   The cooling tank alone can be 3 – 12 meters long on the coiled line, so the layout should be planned together with the target line speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

To determine which line suits your operation, simply provide us with your planned pipe diameter, meter weight and monthly production target. We can configure the line accordingly and prepare a quotation.

Related Product Pages

What does a Round Elbow Machine do?

A round elbow machine produces the elbows, fittings and end caps used in ventilation duct systems. An elbow is made by fitting round segments into each other and seaming them; the machine prepares these segments and joins them.

The DFC Round Elbow Machine has two stations. At the first station male and female flange seats are formed on the segments; at the second station the segments are assembled and closed. The rollers in the seaming and closing units are driven by hydraulic motors and hydraulic pistons, and two operators can work on the machine at the same time. The same machine produces elbows and reducers in 0.5 – 1.2 mm sheet.

1. Diameter range: your smallest and largest elbow

The first value to check is whether the machine’s diameter range covers your projects. Residential and office ventilation uses smaller diameters, industrial plants larger ones; both ends of the range should fit your work.

The DFC Round Elbow Machine produces from Ø125 mm to Ø1600 mm. Seaming rollers are supplied in three sizes (6 – 7.5 – 10 mm, 3 sets), so small and large diameters can be produced on the same machine.

2. Sheet thickness and material

Galvanized and stainless steel sheet have different thickness limits; a quotation should state both separately.

The DFC Round Elbow Machine works with 0.5 – 1.2 mm galvanized and 0.5 – 1 mm stainless steel sheet. Its bending and pressing rollers are made of wear-resistant 2379 cold work tool steel.

3. Power and electricity

Power draw determines the electrical infrastructure you need and your running cost. Mains frequency (50 or 60 Hz) differs by country, so it should be written clearly in the quotation.

The DFC Round Elbow Machine draws 4 kW and runs on 380 V / 3-phase, 50/60 Hz. Hydraulic oil capacity is 90 litres; plan this amount for the first fill.

4. Air supply: do you need a compressor?

Some machines need compressed air to operate. In that case a compressor, air line and air treatment unit become part of the investment; always ask about this when comparing quotations.

The DFC Round Elbow Machine is driven by hydraulic motors and pistons and does not require compressed (pneumatic) air. A 380 V power connection is enough to install it.

5. Cycle time and number of operators

How long one elbow takes depends on the diameter, sheet thickness and the number of segments in the elbow. Instead of a single “X elbows per minute” figure, ask for a measured time for the diameter and thickness you will produce, and if possible see the machine running (at the factory or on video).

Look at the operator layout as well. On the DFC Round Elbow Machine the two stations can run at the same time with two operators: one forms the flange seats on the segments while the other assembles and closes. Male-female adjustment and transfer arm adjustment are automatic.

6. Floor space and weight

Plan floor space by adding the working area of two operators and storage for segments and finished elbows to the main body dimensions.

The main body of the DFC Round Elbow Machine measures 1000 × 3150 × 1250 mm (width × depth × height) and weighs 920 kg.

Buying checklist

All DFC values in the table come from the Round Elbow Machine product page and technical file. Fill in the same rows for every quotation you compare.

Warranty and service comparison table

Compare warranties by coverage, not only by duration. Make sure every row below is written in your quotation.

Six questions to decide

Answer these six questions before you request quotations, and you can compare the offers on the same basis.

1. Which elbow diameters will you produce?
   Write down your smallest and largest diameter. The DFC Round Elbow Machine works from Ø125 to 1600 mm.
2. Which material and thickness will you use?
   Compare the limits of 0.5 – 1.2 mm for galvanized and 0.5 – 1 mm for stainless steel with your own work.
3. Do you have 380 V 3-phase power in the workshop?
   The machine draws 4 kW and runs on 50/60 Hz mains.
4. Do you have a compressed-air line?
   Not needed: the DFC Round Elbow Machine is hydraulic and does not require a compressor.
5. How many operators will you use?
   The two stations can run at the same time with two operators; if you plan to run it with one operator, say so at the quotation stage.
6. Are warranty, spare parts and service in writing?
   Look for every row of the warranty table above in the quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Send us the diameter range you will produce, your sheet thickness and your workshop’s power supply, and we will prepare the DFC Round Elbow Machine quotation and technical file accordingly.

Related Product Pages