Guide for new fencing units
Starting a chain link fence making business
What it takes to set up a chain link unit: the machine, power supply, floor space, people, wire and dye moulds, with real numbers from the four chain link machines we build in Coimbatore.
- ₹1,20,000lowest machine price, + 18% GST
- 80–100 kg/hroutput of our PLC machines
- 1 + 1operator and helper on the automatic lines
- 400+No.1 Fence machines running today
1. How chain link is made
Chain link is woven one wire at a time. The cutting unit cuts the wire to length, and the weaving table bends it into a zig-zag and turns it into the previous wire, so the diamond mesh builds up row by row. The dye mould sets the size of the mesh gap. The wire ends at the edges are then twisted or locked so the mesh cannot unravel, and the fence is rolled for dispatch.
The fully automatic machine has its own locking and rolling units, so it finishes and rolls the fence itself. On the other machines, the edges are finished separately, for example with our cordless hand twisting machine.
2. Choosing a machine
| Machine | Price | Output | People | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | ₹1,20,000 | Depends on labour | 1 operator, 3+ weavers | 3 phase or single phase |
| Semi automatic | ₹2,80,000 | 80–100 kg/hr | 1 operator, 2+ weavers | 440V 3 phase, 6 HP min. |
| Automatic cutting and weaving | ₹6,50,000 | 80–100 kg/hr | 1 operator, 1 helper | 440V 3 phase, 7 HP min. |
| Fully automatic | ₹9,50,000 | 80–100 kg/hr | 1 operator, 1 helper | 440V 3 phase, 10 HP min. |
Starting small: the manual machine is the lowest-cost way in, and the only one that runs on single phase power. Output depends on how many weavers you have.
Growing workshop: the semi automatic machine is our most popular. Delta PLC and touch-screen control with Janatics pneumatics give 80 to 100 kg per hour with two weavers.
Fewer people: the automatic cutting and weaving machine uses servo-driven weaving, so one operator and one helper replace the team of weavers. The fully automatic line adds locking and rolling, so the fence comes off the machine finished and rolled.
See all four side by side, with the hand twisting machine and dye moulds, on our chain link fencing machines page.
3. Power supply
Check your electricity connection before choosing a machine. It is often what decides it.
| Machine | Supply | Motors |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | 440V 3 phase or 230V single phase, 4 HP minimum | 3 HP induction (3 phase) or 2 HP (single phase) |
| Semi automatic | 440V 3 phase, 6 HP minimum (2 phase at extra cost) | 5 HP induction. A compressor can be added for an extra cost |
| Automatic cutting and weaving | 440V 3 phase, 7 HP minimum | 4 HP servo, 1 HP induction, 1 HP brake |
| Fully automatic | 440V 3 phase, 10 HP minimum | 4 HP servo, 1 HP induction, 1 HP brake, 5 × 0.5 HP induction |
4. Floor space
| Machine | Units (ft) | Footprint |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | 6 × 2.5 × 3.5 | about 15 sq ft |
| Semi automatic | Cutting unit 4 × 2 × 5.5, table unit 9.75 × 3.5 × 4 | about 42 sq ft |
| Automatic cutting and weaving | Cutting unit 5 × 2.5 × 2.5, table unit 10 × 3 × 4 | about 42 sq ft |
| Fully automatic | Cutting 5 × 2.5 × 2.5, table 10 × 3 × 4, locking 12.5 × 2.5 × 2, rolling 12.5 × 2.5 × 1 | about 105 sq ft |
5. People
Labour is the biggest difference between the machines. On the manual machine, one operator works with at least three weavers. The semi automatic machine needs one operator and at least two weavers. Automating the weaving is what removes the weavers: the automatic cutting and weaving machine and the fully automatic line each run with one operator and one helper.
6. Output
The semi automatic, automatic and fully automatic machines are rated at 80 to 100 kg of chain link per hour, which is 60 to 80 square metres. At that rate, an 8-hour shift gives 640 to 800 kg, or 480 to 640 square metres.
To picture it: a 15 m roll of 6 ft (1.83 m) high chain link is about 27 square metres, so 60 to 80 square metres an hour is roughly two to three such rolls. Real output depends on the wire thickness, the mesh size and how the shift is run. The manual machine’s output depends on the number of weavers.
7. Wire and dye moulds
All four machines weave GI or PVC coated wire from 1.6 mm (16 SWG) to 4 mm (8 SWG), into fence 2 to 10 ft high. The manual and semi automatic machines make mesh from 1 to 5 inches; the automatic and fully automatic machines from 1 to 4.5 inches.
The mesh gap is set by the dye mould, so you need one dye for each mesh size you want to make. Our dyes are EN 08 steel, hardened to 40 to 50 HRC, and cost ₹1,800 to ₹6,500 + GST depending on size. The manual and semi automatic machines come with one complementary dye of any size, and the automatic and fully automatic machines with four.
Not sure which fence sizes sell in your area? Our fence buying guide explains the mesh sizes, wire gauges and heights buyers ask for.
8. Buying terms and support
- Prices are plus 18% GST, and transport is extra.
- 50% of the order in advance, the balance at delivery.
- Delivery in 10 to 15 working days for the manual machine, 15 to 20 for semi automatic, 20 to 25 for automatic cutting and weaving, and 25 to 30 for fully automatic.
- Free installation labour for every machine except the manual one. You arrange travel, food and accommodation for our team.
- Two year warranty on machinery. Voltage damage and physical damage are not covered.
- Ongoing service, technical, sales and raw material support. Service visits after installation are charged.
Each machine has a printable pamphlet: manual, semi automatic, automatic cutting and weaving and fully automatic (PDF).
Questions from new fencing units
Which chain link machine is best to start a business?
The manual machine (₹1,20,000 + GST) is the lowest-cost start and the only one that runs on single phase power, but its output depends on your weavers. The semi automatic machine (₹2,80,000 + GST) is our most popular choice for growing workshops, with 80 to 100 kg per hour from PLC and touch-screen control.
Can I run a chain link machine on single phase power?
Yes, the manual machine runs on 230V single phase (2 HP motor, 4 HP minimum supply). The semi automatic machine needs 440V 3 phase, with a 2 phase option at extra cost. The automatic and fully automatic machines need 440V 3 phase.
How much chain link can one machine make in a day?
The semi automatic, automatic and fully automatic machines are rated at 80 to 100 kg per hour (60 to 80 square metres). Over an 8-hour shift at that rate, that is 640 to 800 kg. Real output depends on the wire, the mesh size and how the shift runs. The manual machine’s output depends on the number of weavers.
How many workers does a chain link machine need?
Manual: 1 operator and at least 3 weavers. Semi automatic: 1 operator and at least 2 weavers. Automatic cutting and weaving, and fully automatic: 1 operator and 1 helper.
How much space does a chain link machine need?
The machine footprint is about 15 sq ft for the manual machine, about 42 sq ft for the semi automatic and the automatic cutting and weaving machines, and about 105 sq ft for the fully automatic line, plus room for wire coils, finished rolls and people to work.
What support do I get after buying a machine?
Installation labour is free for every machine except the manual one (you arrange travel, food and accommodation for our team). Machinery has a two year warranty that does not cover voltage or physical damage, and we give ongoing service, technical, sales and raw material support. Service visits after installation are charged.
Planning a chain link unit?
Tell us your power supply, the space you have and the fence sizes you want to make, and we will suggest the machine. Factory: Singanallur, Coimbatore.