Englert’s Metal Man Multi-Panel vs. NTM’s SSQ3 MultiPro
Englert and New Tech Machinery (NTM) are two of the biggest names in the portable rollforming machine industry. While Englert offers several fixed-panel machines, it only manufactures one multi-panel machine, which produces eight panel profiles. NTM produces the SSR™ MultiPro Jr. and SSH™ MultiPro Roof Panel Machines, each offering seven standing seam profiles, and its flagship SSQ3™ MultiPro which can produce 16 roofing and wall panel profiles.
Since the Metal Man Multi-Panel and SSQ3,MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel are the most advanced machines in their class, we’ll examine their differences and deep dive into each machine’s pros and cons. However, it’s up to the contractor or manufacturer to decide which will best meet their operational needs.
Company Backgrounds
Englert
Englert, established over 50 years ago, offers a variety of products, ranging from prefabricated roof and wall panels to gutter guards to folding and rollforming machines. Their corporate headquarters is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Their rollforming machines, including the Metal Man Multi-Panel Roofing Machine, are manufactured in Poland.
New Tech Machinery
New Tech Machinery (NTM) started over 30 years ago and specializes exclusively in portable metal roof and wall panel, and seamless gutter rollforming machines. NTM innovated the polyurethane drive roller and other advances often copied by competitors.
NTM’s rollforming machine parts and frames are manufactured in the NTM plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. The panel machines are assembled in Aurora, Colorado, at NTM’s main facility.
Machine Specifications
Below are comparison charts showing the similarities and differences between the two machines, including basic features, specifications, and materials run.
| Features | Englert Multi-Panel | NTM SSQ3 MultiPro |
| Shear | Hydraulically powered, infinitely adjustable, full-cycle | Hydraulically powered, infinitely adjustable, hardened tool steel blades & sheer dies, panel recognition safety system |
| Drive | 16 Hydraulically powered chain-driven cast polyurethane drive rollers | 16 hydraulically-powered chain, sprocket, and gear-driven cast polyurethane drive rollers |
| Speed | Up to 90 ft/ min | Up to 75 ft./ min |
| Power | Gas 13 HP electric start gas motor Electric 7.5″ HP electric motor, 220V, 1PH, 60 Hz. | Gas 16 HP Briggs & Stratton gas motor Electric 7.5 HP, 220V, 60 Hz, 3PH, 18 amps 5 HP, 220V, 60Hz, 1 PH, 20 amps 7.5 HP 460 V, 60 Hz, 3 PH, 9 amps 5 HP, 220 V, 50 Hz, 1 PH, 21 amp |
| Machine Specs | Englert Multi-Panel | NTM SSQ3 MultiPro |
| Length | 12′ | 14’4″ |
| Width | 4′ 5″ | 5′ 2″ |
| Height without overhead rack | 2′ | 2′ 6″ |
| Weight (base machine w/ roller set, power pack, and rib rollers) | 2,360 lbs. | 2,830 lbs. |
| On trailer | ||
| Length | 17′ 2″ | 18′ 11″ |
| Width | 7′ 3″ | 7′ 2″ |
| Weight | 3990 lbs. | 5,090 lbs.(base machine w/ roller set, power pack, and rib rollers) |
| Panels | Englert Multi-Panel | NTM SSQ3 MultiPro |
| Materials run | Painted steel: 30 ga. to 22 ga. (painted, galvanized, aluminized); Painted aluminum .019″ to .040″ Copper 16 oz to 20 oz | Painted steel: 28 ga. to 22 ga. (painted, Galvalume, coated galvanized); Painted aluminum: .027″ to .040″ Copper: 16 oz. to 20 oz. *notching not recommended Terne coat stainless: 26 ga. *notching not recommended) |
| Finished panel widths | 10″ to 20″ (variable, depending on panel profile) | 12″ to 24″ (variable, depending on panel profile |
| Coil widths | 14″ to 24″ | 15″ to 30″ |
Note: Notching not recommended with copper or terne coat.
While many features are the same—both machines have separate drive and forming rollers, polyurethane drive rollers, and hydraulic shears—the differences lie in the power, engine types, and materials formed.
- NTM offers more power options, including the quick-change gas engine, perfect for operating the machine on-site without the need for a generator, and the quick-change electric motor, a great in-the-shop option as it eliminates having to ventilate gas fumes.
- The Englert Multi-Panel boasts a faster speed, at a maximum of 90’ vs. 75’ for the SSQ3. However, the difference between 75’/ min and 90’/min are marginal considering you’re stopping to cut and stack panels along the way. Unless you’re running, say, 150′ panels, you probably won’t notice it.
While Englert offers some lighter gauge options, roof panels rarely run as thin as 30 ga. steel, and .019 aluminum would be extremely rare. These thin panels would not hold up well in most regions, especially those that experience severe weather.
Panel Profiles
Englert additional add-ons:
- Striation rollers
- Pencil rib rollers (5/8” and 3/8” wide)
NTM additional add-ons:
- Clip relief (standard on most profiles at no additional cost)
- Bead ribs (standard or wide–choice of one with machine purchase)
- Pencil ribs (small or large)
- V-ribs (small or large)
- Striation ribs
Profile Comparisons:
| Profile | Englert Multi-Panel | NTM Multi-Pro |
| 1″ Mechanical seam | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1.5″ Mechanical seam | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2″ mechanical seam | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2″ Armco | ✓ | |
| 2.5″ mechanical seam trapizoid | ✓ | |
| 1.5″ snap lock | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1.75″ snap-lock | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1″ snap lock w/ slotted flange | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1.5″ snap lock w/ slotted flange | ✓ | |
| integral snap lock | ✓ | |
| 2″ snap-lock/ mechanical seam proprietary profile | ✓ | |
| 1″ flush wall/ soffit/ underdeck panel w/ adjustable reveal | ✓ | |
| 1.5″ fulsh wall/ soffit/ underdeck panel w/ adjustable reveal | ✓ | |
| Board & batten wall panel | ✓ | |
| T-panel | ✓ |
While both rollforming machines offer mechanically seamed and snap-lock profiles, the SSQ II includes flush wall/ soffit/ underdeck panel profiles with an adjustable reveal. The SSQ3 also offers the popular board and batten metal siding.
The SSQ3 also offers the proprietary SSQ275 standing seam profile, which can be used either as a snap lock or mechanically seamed 2” panel profile. It is the only rollforming machine in the industry that offers this profile.
Profile Tooling
Englert Multi-Panel
Forming roller systems can be changed out in about an hour.
NTM SSQ3 MultiPro
The new QWIKSwap tooling cuts changeover time in half; one person can do it in about 20 minutes, no tools required.
Safety Features
SSQ3 MultiPro
Safety features is where the SSQ3 really excels, even beyond its SSQ II predecessor. Like the SSQ II, the SSQ3 features a shear guard to help prevent operator accidents. It also prevents the machine’s automatic operation if any covers have been removed. All covers must be in place for the machine to operate in automatic mode.
The SSQ3 added these features:
- Sealed drive gear covers add a second safety layer and block debris.
- RFID cover sensors call out exactly which cover is open on the controller.
- Shear warning strobe provides a bright, line-of-sight cue before and during cycles.
- Improved bottom guarding limits hand access; slug funnel controls scrap for cleaner, safer floors.
Englert Multi-Panel
The Englert Multi-Panel machine has a shear cover, but no other safety features.
Options
Controllers
The Metal Man Multi-Panel offers an optional dual register electronic control panel to program panel length and quantity.
The SSQ3 MultiPro offers the optional UNIQ® Automatic Control System, NTM’s most advanced controller. The UNIQ controller includes:
- 7” touchscreen with troubleshooting screens
- Coil calculator, controller settings, length calibration, and more
- USB port to import a 600-panel length cutlist and export final project specifications
- Interactive pop-up error messages for easy troubleshooting
- Controls shear and notching accessories (when applicable)
PVC Strippable film applicator
The SSQ3 offers an optional PVC film applicator. The film applicator attaches to the overhead reel rack and puts PVC film onto the coil before being fed into the machine. The film protects the coil from any scratches it may get during the rollforming process or when stacking panels at a job site.
The Metal Man Multi-Panel does not offer this option.
Notching
Only the SSQ3 MultiPro offers the optional notching system. Notches are punched at the entry point of the machine where the coil feeds in before the legs are formed. A finished panel has a 1” (25.4mm) wide strip at each end for hemming the panels to affix them to the eave or ridge of the roof. The punches are hydraulically powered and controlled by the UNIQ Automatic Control System, which is required to run the notching system and must be purchased separately or included in one of NTM’s popular SSQ3 machine packages.
An angle slitter can be added as an additional accessory, making angle cuts between angled notches easier and cleaner than cutting by hand.
What’s new in the SSQ3 MultiPro:
- QWIKSwap™ tooling for faster changeovers
- Cover windows for visual diagnostics
- Shear warning strobe on the controller
- RFID cover sensors and on-controller diagnostics
- Zerk fittings for easy lubrication
- Interior LED lights for increased visibility
Service and Training
Englert
Englert offers on-site and in-plant machine service. Their mobile service allows technicians to come to you to reduce operational downtime. However, the machine owner is responsible for all travel expenses and fees.
Englert offers half-day virtual training on its machines. You can also travel to its main facility to train. The machine owner is responsible for covering travel costs and incidentals.
New Tech Machinery
NTM’s 5-Point Ironclad Support keeps your operation running smoothly. From thorough quality control before your machine leaves the door to our in-house service call center to hundreds of service techs across the country, NTM has you covered should any issue arise. Our techs can usually walk you through any problem on the phone, but if that’s not adequate, we can service your machine in-shop or through one of our distributors across the country. Or a member of our service team can travel to your location and service your machine on-site. We also offer in-house or on-site training (training is free to all new machine owners at our Colorado facility).
The SSQ notching package includes free on-site training for two days for machine owners and their crews.
Rollformer Parts
Englert keeps most machine parts in stock. However, if unavailable in its U.S. inventory, parts can take some time to arrive as they must be shipped from Poland. Also, their parts are metric, so substitute parts may not fit.
NTM parts are generally in stock and shipped overnight. Any parts out of stock can usually be shipped within a week.
With coast-to-coast distrubutors and service techs, no one can beat NTM when it comes to keeping your operation productive. so make sure to ask the sales or service rep as many questions as possible so that you understand what to expect if something goes wrong with your portable rollformer.
Prices
Contact Englert for the most recent pricing on the Metal Man Multi-Panel Roofing Machine.
The SSQ II MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine has a base starting price of $68,700
Note: Tooling is sold separately on both machines.
The Choice is Yours
You’ve now seen the comparisons between the Englert Metal Man Multi-Panel Roofing Machine and the NTM SSQ3 MultiPro Roof and Wall Panel Machine. The Englert is a fine machine that manufactures several standing seam profiles. It more resembles NTM’s SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine which can produce seven profiles. However, we made a comparison between the two top machines from each manufacturer to represent the best efforts of both.
If you’re looking to produce a wide variety of panel types, including roof, soffit, and board and batten, then the SSQ3 is the clear leader if you’re planning to manufacture roof and wall panels and want more options like notching and the UNIQ controller. You also benefit from the robust safety features in the SSQ3, plus zerk fittings for easy lubrication, cover windows, internal lights, and NTM’s QWIKSwap tooling.
For information about the SSQ3 MultiPro or any of our portable rollforming machines, please contact us.
