W11S vs. W12: Which CNC Plate Roller is Best for Your Shop?

Choosing the right plate rolling machine is one of the most significant investments a metal fabrication shop will make. The decision often boils down to two heavyweights: the W11S Series (Universal 3-Roll) and the W12 Series (4-Roll).

While both machines are capable of bending thick steel plates into perfect cylinders or cones, they operate on different mechanical principles and excel in different scenarios. At SLM Machines, we’ve helped hundreds of clients navigate this choice. Here is a professional breakdown to help you decide which is best for your production line.

1. The W11S Series: The Universal 3-Roll Powerhouse

The W11S Universal 3-Roll Plate Rolling Machine is often referred to as the "Swiss Army Knife" of the industry. Its defining feature is the top roll's ability to move both vertically and horizontally.

• Superior Pre-bending: Because the top roll moves horizontally, it can be positioned off-center to pre-bend both ends of the plate. This minimizes the "flat end" to less than 2.5 times the plate thickness.


• Heavy-Duty Capacity: The W11S design is inherently robust, making it the preferred choice for extremely thick plates (up to 150mm or more) used in high-pressure vessel manufacturing.


• Versatility: It can handle a wide range of diameters and material types with high precision, thanks to its hydraulic crowning and PLC integration.

Best For: Pressure vessel fabrication, boiler manufacturing, and custom job shops that handle varying plate thicknesses and high-strength materials.

2. The W12 Series: The 4-Roll Efficiency King

If speed and automation are your priorities, the W12 4-Roll Plate Bending Machine is the undisputed leader. It features a top roll, a bottom clamping roll, and two side rolls.

• Maximum Automation: The 4-roll system is the easiest to integrate with CNC controls. Once the plate is loaded, the machine handles the clamping, pre-bending, and rolling in one continuous cycle.


• Enhanced Safety: The bottom roll clamps the plate firmly against the top roll throughout the process. This prevents the plate from slipping, which is a critical safety factor when rolling large-diameter sections.


• One-Pass Rolling: You can pre-bend both edges and roll the entire cylinder in a single pass without removing or flipping the plate, significantly reducing cycle times.

Best For: Mass production, wind turbine tower manufacturing, large-scale pipeline projects, and shops looking to reduce labor costs through CNC automation.

3. Head-to-Head Comparison

4. Why Choose SLM Machines?

At SLM (Suleiman Machines), we don't just sell equipment; we provide manufacturing solutions. Our facility is equipped with 12-meter floor-type boring machines and 20-meter gantry machining centers, allowing us to maintain total control over the precision of every machine frame and roller we produce.

Still undecided? Contact the SLM technical team today. Send us your plate material, maximum thickness, and width, and we will provide a free technical simulation and a customized quote.