In This Guide
Auto Duct Line: The Heart of Rectangular Duct Production
If spiral duct is the bread and butter of HVAC, then rectangular duct auto lines are the industrial bakery. A single auto duct line can replace 5–8 manual workers, producing complete rectangular duct sections — from coil to finished TDF flange — in under 2 minutes per piece.
But choosing the right automation level is critical. Buy too little and you're still feeding material manually. Buy too much and you're paying for features you don't need. This guide breaks down Preda's complete auto duct line lineup.
Quick Answer
Most growing shops choose Auto Duct Line 3 — it adds automatic folding to Line 2's decoil+notching+shearing, covering 80% of rectangular duct needs. High-volume producers go for Line 5 (fully automated, 2 operators). Small shops or budget buyers start with Line 2.
Auto Duct Line 2 vs 3 vs 4 vs 5: Full Comparison
| Feature | Line 2 | Line 3 | Line 4 | Line 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decoiling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leveling & Beading | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Notching & Punching | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shearing (cut-to-length) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Folding | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic TDF Flange | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Output per Shift | 300–500 m² | 600–900 m² | 800–1100 m² | 1000–1500 m² |
| Operators Required | 3–4 | 2–3 | 2 | 1–2 |
| Best For | Small shops, startup | Growing shops | Medium-high volume | High-volume, labor saving |
Linear vs U-Shape: Which Layout Fits Your Shop?
Preda offers two layout configurations for Line 5: Linear (straight) and U-Shape. The choice depends entirely on your factory floor plan.
Linear Layout
- Material flows straight from decoiler to finished duct stacker
- Requires 18–25m of linear floor space
- Easier for material handling and forklift access
- Best for long, narrow factory layouts
U-Shape Layout
- Material loops back, so loading and unloading happen at the same end
- Requires only 10–14m of floor space (more compact)
- One operator can oversee both ends
- Best for square or compact factory layouts
How to Choose the Right Auto Duct Line
- Calculate your daily duct output: If you produce <500m²/day, Line 2 or 3 suffices. 500–1000m² → Line 3 or 4. >1000m² → Line 5.
- Count your workers: Labor costs in your country? Line 5 saves 2–3 workers per shift — calculate the ROI.
- Measure your floor space: Under 15m available? Go U-Shape Line 5. Over 20m? Linear works fine.
- Consider duct size range: All lines handle 0.4–1.2mm galvanized. If you need stainless or aluminum, specify at ordering.
- Plan for 5-year growth: If you expect volume to double, buy Line 5 now — it's cheaper than upgrading later.
Preda Care: We Don't Disappear After Delivery
Auto duct lines are complex machines — installation, training, and ongoing support matter as much as the machine itself. Preda Care includes: on-site installation by our technicians, 5-day operator training, lifetime remote PLC support, free wear parts, and global agent service.
Need Help Choosing the Right Auto Duct Line?
Send us your factory layout and daily production target — our engineers will recommend the perfect line configuration and provide a detailed ROI calculation.
Get Free Factory Layout Consultation