Important message for steel fabricators, architects, engineers and project managers involved with projects requiring curved steel applications..."Using a third-party bending firm, and getting them involved early on in the design phase, allows you to take on bigger projects and offer more options to your customers."
If you bring a third party bender into partnership with you, do it as early into the project as possible. When designs are challenging, it is best to have your bending firm examine the bending design ahead of time so that they can identify potential issues and determine whether or not the desired outcome can be achieved. All parties involved must agree on all of the critical elements of the project before a single piece of steel is bent. Early involvement eliminates potential mistakes or misunderstandings later in the process, which could potentially result in scheduling delays or added cost for re-work.
Albina Pipe Bending Co., Inc. wrote a case study on Early Involvement and their experiences with working with Columbia Wire & Iron on the bending and fabrication of a spiral staircase and landing at the Allison Inn in Newberg Oregon. See pages 26-28 in the January/February 2012 Issue of Fabricator
http://issuu.com/fabricator/docs/jan_2012_fabricator for more information and details.
