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What if energy saving could ensure the survival of your business? 14 years ago, Paul Rak, owner of the metal processing…Posted by Pivot on Monday, June 8, 2020

If you recently visited Ottawa, you almost certainly saw ‘Maman,’ a giant egg-carrying spider made of stainless steel, bronze and marble that stands outside the main entrance of the National Gallery of Canada. Designed by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, the 30’ arachnid is meant to symbolize motherhood and fertility.

Another, equally compelling piece is the Big Toonie in Campbellford, Ontario, a 27’ toonie sculpture constructed to honour Brent Townsend, an internationally renowned wildlife artist who designed the $2 coin. 

During the last few decades, the use of steel and metal for art sculpture has become increasingly common. We see them outside government buildings, schools, shopping centres, and other public structures. Mirror-polished stainless steel sculptures are extremely popular in public art projects due to their flexible fabrication, attractive finishing, and unique ability to resist heat damage and corrosion.

Not only are the results of custom metal sculpture fabrication unique and beautiful, but the malleability, durability, and relative affordability of most metals have resulted in many architects using them to create decorative sculptures for all kinds of design projects. In this blog, we’ll explain how they are fabricated in shops like the one at VeriForm and how you can contact us for your own project.

How Is Custom Metal Sculpture Fabrication Done?

Although the word ‘sculpture’ conjures images of a solitary artist making magic out of a huge block of marble, the custom metal sculpture fabrication process has many moving parts and tends to be a team effort involving architects, engineers, and metal fabrication professionals.

The process begins by styling your steel. Using software with CAD and CAM integration, design professionals create 2D profiles of the various pieces that will eventually form the finished sculpture. Then the appropriate material is selected, with corrosion resistance being an essential element for artwork that will be placed outside. 

Although there are different ways to cut the metal parts for use in a sculpture, computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutters support greater precision and more accurate results. They are connected to a computer, which is equipped with the above-mentioned design software and directs the plasma torch along the desired toolpath. The cutter uses concentrated electrical currents to cut through electrically conductive metals while high-velocity gas removes the melted material from the area, ensuring a cleaner cut.

Depending on the desired outcome, the cut metal can then be shaped using one or more of the following fabrication technologies.

• Metal bending: The sheet metal is forced between a punch and die by a press brake, which then manipulates both tools to bend the metal into an angle.
• Plate rolling: The metal is passed through rolls to uniformly reduce its thickness.
• Structural roll bending: Using pre-made dies that can be changed according to the desired dimension and shape, this process involves passing the steel through a rolling mill to shape or bend it.

Once all pieces of the sculpture have been completed, they are welded at their connection points to maximize their strength. Some designers prefer to keep the welds visible as a rough and earthy aesthetic touch but if the goal is a smooth surface, the next step is to grind and sand down the weld area until it blends in with the surrounding metal, followed by a thorough polishing treatment that adds a final layer of beauty to the finished piece.

If properly fabricated, metal sculptures will stand the test of time in practically all weather conditions. If you are an architect, your project will achieve the best results if you work with a custom metal fabricator with the insights and experience needed to transform a functional material like metal into a beautiful work of art. 

We Are The Metal Fabrication Experts

At VeriForm, our metal forming capabilities include custom metal sculpture fabrication for architects and other design professionals. By skillful application of rolling, twisting, and welding processes, we create custom shapes that are precisely matched to your specifications and do justice to your original artistic vision. 

We have worked on many sculptures and can handle projects that call for the following:

• Natural and mathematical forms
• Custom contours and shapes
• Convex and concave shapes.

To discuss your design fabrication needs, please call 519-653-6000 or contact us for a no-obligation quote.

Metal folding is a process in which a machine bends (or folds) metal in order to achieve an intended form. Today, thanks to precise and efficient technologies like CNC folding, metal can be formed into a variety of shapes for both industrial and household uses.

The Origins Of Metal Folding

Sheet metal folding machines started appearing in the U.S market during the 1990s. The technology, which had been used in Europe for years, was adopted by the roofing and structural fabrication markets first, but soon made its way into industrial and precision manufacturing applications. 

Today, metal folding occurs when a press brake forces sheet metal between an upper tool called a punch and a lower component called a die. The press brake then manipulates these two parts to apply the bending force that gives the finished product its shape. When the process is controlled by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology, it enables greater and repeatable precision while folding metal of varying thicknesses.

The Benefits of CNC Folding

The CNC folding technology uses computer-based programming that saves a lot of time, especially on more complex parts and components. Once programming is complete, all facility employees have to do is feeding and unloading work: there is no need for any manual bending. Even if a part has multiple folds, all necessary bending and shaping can be completed in one operation, with an accuracy that can rarely be matched by manual handling.

At VeriForm, we have over 20 years of experience in metal folding fabrication. Our 20-foot CNC machine is fast, efficient, and delivers output that perfectly matches client specifications. Used for a wide range of industries, its reliable operation and precise results make CNC folding a natural solution for practically all folding projects. For more information about what this technology can do for your next project, please contact us today.

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines have come a long way since their first appearance during the 1940s and 1950s. These early versions used punched or perforated paper tape technology to store data, and eventually transitioned to the first analog and then digital computer processing. 

Today, CNC is one of two leading methods (the other being 3D printing) to create prototypes from a digital file. It uses computers to automate machine tools like mills, grinders, and lathes by carrying out pre-programmed command sequences. The output is so precisely shaped and efficiently delivered that CNC machining is now a core process in manufacturing, defence, aerospace, and similar domains.

The Advantages of CNC Machining in Your Workspace

To illustrate how amazing CNC machining is, have a look at the advantages and benefits it can deliver to production-based workplaces.

• No prototypes needed. The software that drives CNC machining is so advanced that expensive prototypes are not necessary. Using the software, you can finalize your concepts before cutting begins.
• Automatic quality output.  CNC machines are designed and programmed to deliver quality output, as they mostly eliminate the risk of human error. Conventional machining, on the other hand, can take years of training to achieve similar precision in results.
• Easy product replication. If you repeatedly produce the same piece, CNC machines enable your production line to replicate it over and over without reducing quality. While conventional machining works for custom pieces, CNC makes more sense for items that are in demand.
• Less labour-intensive. Unlike conventional machinery, which requires expertise and multiple personnel to use, CNC machining represents a substantial reduction in your labour costs because the process is automated.
• Boost production. CNC machining boosts production because it efficiently builds products that conventional machinery cannot master so easily. In addition, the software is easy to update: a simple download can increase machine functionality.

There are few limitations associated with today’s amazing CNC machining technology, which is one of the many reasons why it is becoming a mainstream feature in a growing range of industries. It amplifies the speed at which your facility can manufacture products, and improves the precision and efficiency of many production processes.

At VeriForm, our 20-foot long CNC machining centre supports multiple workstations, ensuring reliable uptime and high productivity. Supported machining operations include plasma cutting, drilling, tapping, milling, and other processes that go into forming essential parts and components. To learn more about how our CNC machining services can make a huge difference in the quality and volume of product output, contact us today!