Author: Dan


Leather will conform over time to a given shape it is stretched to.  In the case of my belt, the shape is very similar to the unwrapped pattern for an eccentric cone.  When forming aluminum or steel plate into shapes, Read more…


Bollards are usually a post or other metal or concrete structure that helps define a physical space–think of the posts put up at key buildings after 9/11. But bollards date back to ancient Rome where they served as road markers. Read more…


But they are not pointless.  There are several ways to produce cylinders from metal plate.  One of the most common ways is to use a plate roll.  Whether the machine has two, three or four rollers, it is usually the Read more…


What can a community or chamber of commerce do to beautify a viaduct when it runs under a railroad line?  Not much.  The crumbling faces can rarely be modified because they are owned by the railroad.  Don’t even think about Read more…


Designers, detailers, and fabricators commonly debate the correct formula for a blank length of bent plates.  A trial run is always good practice when forming on a press brake because metals stretch so differently on different setups. This confusion does Read more…


The natural vibration frequency of a steel member is controlled by these factors: Stiffness/the second moment of inertia (I) in 4 stiffer = higher freq Mass per length (lbmass/in) heavier = lower freq Length of beam (L, in) longer = Read more…


A concern in bending long lengths of steel is how much they slump during handling. Consider, for example, a 10in x 10in x 3/8in x 85ft square tube picked up from both ends (simply supported beam model).  This extremely long Read more…


Companies that specialize in pipe and tube bending usually develop a customer base that spans many industries.  Having such a diverse and widespread customer base allows them to grow without suffering the business cycles that occur in various industries:  when Read more…


Many Bender/Rollers not only curve metal in one plane; they also curve metal in two planes including helical coils.  Applications in construction include stringers and handrails for circular stairs as well as ornamental and structural members for buildings. On a Read more…


Curved wide flanged beams welcome visitors to Springfield, Massachusetts.  Anyone visiting this New England town will drive under W36x182 beams rolled hardway to a 92ft 2in wide inside radius.  Two pieces each with 35ft of arc were spliced to make Read more…

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