Chicago Metal Rolled Products, Curving Steel Since 1908…really? 1908? The company may have been around since 1908, but what we do at Chicago Metal is an age old art, a natural evolution of steel bending from the days in which the blacksmith was one of the most respected men in town. Changing the shape of a piece of metal went on well before the 13th century. Churches in Europe have intricate door plates, hinges and railings displaying the work of 12th and 13th century blacksmiths. Valley Forge is the Valley of the Forges where George Washington took his troops to repair their equipment. Mr. Studebaker was a blacksmith whose metal shaping skills evolved into making cars, much like Chicago Metal Rolled does steel bending to form a snowplow or grain silo. We no longer have huge fires in our shops or use our raw physical strength to force the metal into submission, but the effect on the functionality, appearance, and cost effectiveness of the finished project is still the same!
On a small scale you need look no further than a zero-turn mower which more often than not uses bent tubing to support the front wheels. On a much larger scale, you can set your eyes on the University of Phoenix Stadium with its rolling roof providing protection from the elements yet allowing for the enjoyment of the warm Arizona sun.. (Talk about functionality)
Skylines and bridges all over the world have been forever changed by the steel bending craftsmanship that takes place in our shops. The Sprint Center in Kansas City, with its “fish bowl” shape, has changed the whole persona of the downtown area. When compared with a standard, square-shaped arena, the aesthetic difference is undeniable.
Is using curved steel cost effective? In many cases using a curved design saves expense as well as providing the opportunity to make the most of what is often a minimal amount of space on which to build. In this way it can lower the developers’ expenses from the very beginning. When you can curve a 90’ piece of 18” pipe for a suspended pedestrian bridge, you drastically reduce the amount of money spent on welding and erection time. You are also free to turn a practical and necessary project into a piece of art that is pleasing to the eye instead of an eye sore.
