The Sandwich Panel Engineering Library

Knowledge Hub — the industry's reference

Technical articles, engineering guides, courses, videos and FAQs on sandwich panels, factory development and production technology — written by NEVO engineers for investors, engineers, architects and factory owners.

500+
Articles & Guides
24
Academy Courses
80+
Videos & Webinars
120+
Technical Downloads
Editorial library

Technical articles & engineering guides

12 results
PIRFeatured
Technical Articles · Professional

PIR vs Rock Wool — the complete engineering comparison

Thermal, fire, mechanical and TCO comparison across 11 criteria with test data.

14 min readRead more
ThermalFeatured
Engineering Guides · Professional

How to size panel thickness for any climate

A step-by-step method using U-value targets, degree days and hygrothermal safety.

11 min readRead more
Production LinesFeatured
Production Technology · Beginner

Continuous sandwich panel line — 101

How a continuous PIR line works: coil, roll-forming, chemical mixing, laminator, saw.

12 min readRead more
Factory DesignFeatured
Factory Development · Expert

Sandwich panel factory layout — the master template

Optimal building shape, line orientation, warehouse and utilities placement.

15 min readRead more
Cold Rooms
Industry Applications · Professional

Cold room panel design for −25 °C freezers

Thickness, vapor barriers, cam-locks, floor buildup and door engineering.

10 min readRead more
Clean Rooms
Industry Applications · Professional

GMP clean rooms — the panel selection guide

Choosing flush panels, HPL finishes and coving for pharma-grade cleanrooms.

9 min readRead more
Fire
Design Standards · Beginner

Fire performance explained — EN 13501-1

Reading fire classifications A2-s1,d0 vs B-s1,d0 and what they mean on site.

8 min readRead more
Project Management
Factory Development · Expert

The factory investment model, decoded

CAPEX line items, OPEX per m², IRR, NPV and phased expansion economics.

18 min readRead more
Chemicals
Raw Materials · Expert

PIR chemistry — polyol and MDI in production

Formulation, mixing, safety and how chemistry drives foam quality.

11 min readRead more
Rock Wool
Raw Materials · Professional

Rock wool lamella — orientation, density, quality

Why lamella orientation matters for fire, shear and thermal performance.

9 min readRead more
Thermal
Industry Applications · Beginner

Panel selection for industrial buildings

Wall and roof panel systems for warehouses, plants and logistic hubs.

8 min readRead more
Quality
Installation Guides · Professional

Quality control per EN 14509 — the checklist

In-line and off-line QC methods, sample intervals and acceptance criteria.

12 min readRead more
FAQ Center

Answers from our engineers

Six categories — technical, production, investment, engineering, installation and maintenance.

Technical Questions

What thickness of panel do I need for a −25 °C freezer?

For −25 °C, a 150–180 mm PIR panel typically reaches U ≈ 0.14 W/m²K, meeting energy targets in most climates. Use our Panel Thickness Calculator to size for local conditions.

What's the difference between PIR and PUR?

PUR is a polyurethane rigid foam; PIR is polyisocyanurate — a modified PUR with higher aromatic content that improves fire performance (typically B-s1,d0) while retaining a low λ ≈ 0.022 W/mK.

How is U-value calculated?

U = λ / d, where λ is thermal conductivity (W/mK) and d is core thickness in metres. Skins and interfaces add small resistances; EN 14509 gives the full method.

Production Questions

What is a typical line speed?

Continuous PIR lines run 6–15 m/min depending on thickness and panel type. Rock wool lines are slower — typically 3–8 m/min due to lamella insertion.

How many people run a modern sandwich panel line?

A fully automated NEVO line runs with 6–8 operators per shift, plus quality, maintenance and warehouse staff.

What OEE should I target?

World-class continuous lines reach 82–88% OEE. New factories typically start at 60–70% and improve over 12–18 months with SPC and TPM programmes.

Investment Questions

How much does a sandwich panel factory cost?

A 1 M m²/yr continuous PIR factory typically costs 8–12 M USD turnkey (line + building + utilities + working capital), depending on automation level and country.

What payback period is realistic?

Typical payback is 3.5–5 years at 35–45% gross margin. Our Investment Calculator models CAPEX, OPEX, IRR and NPV for your inputs.

Can the factory be expanded in phases?

Yes — plan a second line at Year 3 with ~55% incremental capex. Design the building and utilities for Phase II from day one.

Engineering Questions

Which fire standard applies in my country?

Most markets recognise EN 13501-1 (EU) or ASTM E84 (US). Petrochemical projects add EI-integrity per EN 1364-1. Ask our engineers for a country-specific reference.

What is the difference between roof and wall panels?

Roof panels use 5-rib trapezoidal profiles for drainage and load-span; wall panels use micro-rib or flush profiles for aesthetics. Both use the same core technology.

Installation Questions

How are panels fixed to structure?

Wall panels use hidden or exposed fasteners into steel purlins/rails per panel manufacturer detail. Cold room panels use cam-lock joints for tight thermal seal.

What's the maximum panel length?

Continuous lines produce panels up to 24 m for standard trucks. Special transport (flat-rack containers, break-bulk) enables longer panels for architectural projects.

Maintenance Questions

How often should facades be inspected?

Annual visual inspection is standard; a full fastener and seal check every 3 years. Coastal environments require 6-month inspections and touch-up of any coating damage.

How long do sandwich panels last?

Well-maintained PVDF-coated panels have a service life of 30–40 years; polyester-coated panels 15–25 years. Cores retain thermal performance for the panel's full life.

Talk to a NEVO engineer

Have a project or a question our library doesn't cover yet? A senior industrial engineer will reply within 24 hours.

engineers@nevo-industrial.com
WhatsApp获取报价