An auto duct line, also called an automatic duct line or auto duct former, turns coil sheet into rectangular and square duct parts in one pass, straightening the sheet, adding stiffening beads, then cutting and folding it under PLC control. EBR METAL builds four auto duct lines in its Konya factory. All four use a servo motor and a hydraulic unit, run at a feeding speed of 6 m/min and handle 0.5–1.2 mm sheet, and they prepare the parts for Pittsburgh, snap lock and Nulock seams. They differ in what they add on top: a 3-coil selector, hydraulic notching for self-flanged duct, and C-cleat forming.
Auto Duct Line Models
Auto Duct Line Pro
Built for straight duct parts in two sheet widths, 1320 mm and 1520 mm. One coil at a time, no notching.
Auto Duct Line with 3-Coil Selector
The same line with three coils of different thicknesses on board, on a 1500 mm sheet width. Changing thickness means selecting another coil, not unloading and reloading.
Auto Duct Line with Notching
Adds the hydraulic notching unit for self-flanged duct and keeps the 3-coil selector. It also produces duct for separate slip-on flange profiles.
Auto Duct Line with Notching & Cleat Forming
Everything the ADF-N does, plus a C-cleat unit, and it closes the duct lock on the line. The extra unit makes it 3000 mm long instead of 2000 mm.
Compare the Auto Duct Line Models
| Auto Duct Line Pro (ADF-P) | 3-Coil Selector (ADF-S3) | Notching (ADF-N) | Notching & Cleat (ADF-NC) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet thickness (mm) | 0.5–1.2 | 0.5–1.2 | 0.5–1.2 | 0.5–1.2 |
| Sheet width (mm) | 1320 or 1520 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Min. duct size (mm) | 100 × 100 | 100 × 100 | 150 × 150 | 100 × 100 |
| 3-coil selector | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hydraulic notching for self-flanged duct | — | — | ✓ (4 dies) | ✓ (4 dies) |
| C-cleat unit, closes the duct lock | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Parts prepared for seam types | Pittsburgh, snap lock, Nulock | Pittsburgh, snap lock, Nulock | Pittsburgh, snap lock, Nulock | Pittsburgh, snap lock, Nulock |
| Longest part (mm) | 1320 / 1520 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Operators | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Feeding speed | 6 m/min | 6 m/min | 6 m/min | 6 m/min |
| 250 × 250 mm duct | ≈ 1.10 min | ≈ 1.10 min | ≈ 1.35 min | ≈ 1.35 min |
| Output per 8-hour day | up to 800 m² | up to 800 m² | up to 650 m² | up to 650 m² |
| Motor power (kW) | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Hydraulic unit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (80 bar) | ✓ (80 bar) |
| Power supply | 380 V / 3 Ph / 50 Hz | 380 V / 3 Ph / 50 Hz | 380 V / 3 Ph / 50 Hz | 380 V / 3 Ph / 50 Hz |
| Compressed air | not required | not required | not required | not required |
| Dimensions W × L × H (mm) | 2000 × 2000 × 1500 | 2000 × 2000 × 1500 | 2000 × 2000 × 1500 | 2000 × 3000 × 1500 |
| Weight (kg) | 2450 / 2680 | 2950 | 4400 | 4250 |
Sheet thickness is given for ST37 (S235JR) mild steel.
How to Choose an Auto Duct Line
Starting with straight duct? The ADF-P is our entry model. It runs one coil at a time, comes in two sheet widths and reaches up to 800 m² of duct in an 8-hour shift, based on a 250 × 250 mm duct.
Do you change sheet thickness often? Then choose a line with the 3-coil selector: the ADF-S3, ADF-N or ADF-NC. Three thicknesses stay loaded, and switching means selecting another coil instead of unloading and reloading.
Do you build self-flanged duct? In a self-flanged (TDF-style) duct, the flange is rolled from the duct wall itself, so the corners must be notched first. Only the ADF-N and ADF-NC notch on the line. If you join duct sections with separate slip-on flange profiles, any of the four lines will do.
Do you make the same or similar sizes again and again? The ADF-NC is the line for shops that want the most work done in one pass. It is semi-automated, recalls saved programs from memory so repeat jobs start without lost time, forms C-cleats and closes the duct lock. The notching lines reach up to 650 m² per shift, and the ADF-NC needs 1 m more floor length than the others.
The ADF-N also starts at a larger minimum duct size, 150 × 150 mm, where the other three go down to 100 × 100 mm.
How an Auto Duct Line Works
The sheet runs through the line in a fixed order under PLC control, and one operator runs the whole line:
- Coil feed. Sheet comes off a decoiler in front of the line. On the 3-coil models, three coils of different thicknesses are loaded at once and the operator selects the one the job needs.
- Straightening. A straightener takes the coil set out of the sheet so the parts lie flat.
- Beading. Two stiffening units press reinforcement beads into the sheet. Two bead patterns are standard and a third is optional.
- Notching (ADF-N and ADF-NC only). A hydraulic unit with four dies, two right and two left, cuts the corner notches a self-flanged duct needs.
- Cutting and folding. The sheet is cut to length and folded into the shape you set: a flat sheet, an L-shape, a U-shape or a full square duct. A servo motor and servo reducer hold the dimensions. The longest part is set by the working width of the line: 1500 mm, or 1320 / 1520 mm on the ADF-P.
- Marking. A label printer marks each part, so the pieces are easy to sort for delivery and installation on site. A consumption memory keeps a running total of the material used.
On the ADF-P, ADF-S3 and ADF-N, the lock profile is rolled afterwards on the Pittsburgh Lock Former and the seam is closed on a Duct Seam Closer or Pittsburgh Seam Closer. The ADF-NC adds a C-cleat unit and closes the duct lock on the line after forming, so it needs no separate seam closer.
Self-Flanged Duct or Separate Flanges?
In a self-flanged system the duct wall is extended and rolled into a flange, so no separate flange profile is needed. The sheet has to be notched at the corners before folding, and the flange is then rolled on a TDF Flange Forming Machine. A TDF Corner Machine presses the corners into the finished flange.
With separate flanges, the duct comes off the line plain, and slip-on flange profiles are cut to length on a Flange Cutting Machine and fitted afterwards. The ADF-N and ADF-NC handle both routes, so a shop that makes both duct types can do it on one line.
What Comes Before and After the Line
The coil sits on a decoiler in front of the line. After the line, parts go to lock forming and seam closing (Pittsburgh Lock Former, Duct Seam Closer) and, for self-flanged duct, to the TDF Flange Forming Machine. See the full HVAC Duct Production Line.
Not sure whether a line or separate machines suit your shop? Our guide Auto Duct Line or Individual Machines? How to Choose compares the two and lists the data to collect first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an auto duct line and an auto duct former?
They are two names for the same machine. “Auto duct former” is the name in our catalogue (ADF), and “auto duct line” or “automatic duct line” is the term most buyers search for.
Does an auto duct line close the duct seam?
The ADF-NC closes the duct lock on the line. On the ADF-P, ADF-S3 and ADF-N, the lock is closed afterwards on a Duct Seam Closer or a Pittsburgh Seam Closer.
Do the auto duct lines need compressed air?
No. All four run on their own hydraulic unit.
What sheet thickness can they process?
0.5–1.2 mm on all four models, given for ST37 (S235JR) mild steel.
How much duct can an auto duct line produce in a day?
Up to 800 m² in an 8-hour shift on the ADF-P and ADF-S3, and up to 650 m² on the notching models, based on a 250 × 250 mm duct at a feeding speed of 6 m/min.
What is the delivery time for an auto duct line?
Many EBR METAL machines ship from stock. When a line is built to order, an auto duct line currently takes about 3–4 weeks. The quotation confirms the date for your order.
Do I need a separate lock former?
Yes, for the ADF-P, ADF-S3 and ADF-N. The line prepares the parts for Pittsburgh, snap lock and Nulock seams, and the lock profile is rolled on the Pittsburgh Lock Former. The ADF-NC closes the duct lock on the line itself.
How many operators does a line need?
One operator runs the line.
How long can a duct part be?
Up to the working width of the line: 1500 mm, or 1320 / 1520 mm on the ADF-P.