Aluminum Composite Panel (ACP) Making Line (also called ACP Production Line / Manufacturing Line) is a fully automatic, continuous industrial production system for manufacturing aluminum composite panels (aluminum + plastic core + aluminum sandwich panels). It integrates plastic extrusion, aluminum coil unrolling, hot-press compounding, cooling, trimming, cutting, and stacking.
I. Core Production Process (Two-Step Method, International Standard)
Overall Flow:
Aluminum Coil → Pretreatment → Coating → Unrolling → Heating → Laminating with PE Core → Hot-Press Compounding → Cooling → Trimming → Cutting → Stacking → Finished ACP Sheets
1. Aluminum Coil Preparation Section (Pre-Processing Lines)
Chemical Conversion Line (Pretreatment)
Process: Degreasing → Washing → Neutralizing → Chemical conversion coating
Purpose: Forms a protective film on aluminum surface to enhance adhesion and corrosion resistance
Coating Line (Painting)
Process: Primer coating → Baking → Topcoat (PVDF/Polyester) → Baking → Cooling
Coatings: PVDF (Kynar, exterior), Polyester (PE, interior), Special finishes (wood grain, stone)
2. PE Core Extrusion Section
Equipment: Single-screw extruder (large L/D ratio, vented type) + T-die + 3-roll calendar
Process:
PE/FR/A2 resin + additives → feeding into extruder
Melting & mixing at 160–220°C
Extruded through T-die into a continuous plastic sheet
3-roll calendering: Forms smooth, uniform-thickness PE core
3. High-Pressure Compounding Section (Key Process)
Equipment: Unwinder (aluminum coils), adhesive film applicator, heating oven, multi-roll hot compounding machine
Process:
Top/bottom aluminum coils unroll with tension control
Polymeric adhesive film laminated to aluminum
Aluminum & adhesive film preheated to 180–230°C
PE core + top aluminum + bottom aluminum → continuous hot-press compounding
4. Post-Processing Section
Cooling & Setting: Multi-section cooling rollers (water cooling) stabilize panel shape
Trimming & Slitting: Automatic edge trimming to standard width
Cut-to-Length: Shear cuts panels to fixed length (e.g., 2440mm)
Protective Film Laminating: Surface film to prevent scratches
Stacking & Palletizing: Automatic stacking, ready for packaging
II. Complete ACP Line Equipment List
Main Units
Aluminum Coil Unwinder (2 sets: top & bottom)
PE Single Screw Extruder (φ120–φ250 mm)
T-die & 3-Roll Calendar
Preheating Oven (for aluminum & adhesive film)
Multi-Roll Hot Compounding Machine (main composite unit)
Cooling Conveyor & Sizing Unit
Edge Trimming Machine
Cut-to-Length Shear
Protective Film Laminator
Automatic Stacker / Palletizer
PLC Control System (full-line automation)
Dust Collection & Environmental System
III. Technical Specifications (Standard Line)
IV. Core Advantages of Modern ACP Lines
High Automation: PLC + touchscreen control, stable operation
High Product Quality: Uniform thickness, flatness, strong adhesion
High Efficiency: Continuous production, low waste rate
Wide Compatibility: Produces PE, FR (B1), A2 fireproof cores
Energy Saving: PID temperature control, efficient heating
Environmental Protection: Closed-loop cooling, dust collection
V. Common Line Configurations
Standard ACP Line: For PE core panels (interior/signage)
FR ACP Line: For fire-retardant B1 grade (commercial exteriors)
A2 Non-Combustible Line: For high-rise & public buildings
High-Speed Line: Production speed >12 m/min, large output
VI. Applications of Finished ACP
Building facades & curtain walls
Exterior wall cladding
Interior decoration & ceilings
Signage & billboards
Shop fronts & displays
