While tension is needed for the stretch forming process, we want to reduce your stress when having your material curved and finished to precise specifications.
Stretch forming relies on tensile and bending forces to shape your aluminum extrusion profiles into simple or complex, wrinkle-free curves. The material is kept under constant tension, while wrapping it around a form, or die, to produce the desired arc.
With our partner, Southern Stretch Forming, Linetec draws from more than 25 years of curving expertise to provide you with a single source solution for your stretch forming and finishing needs. Co-located at our campus in Wausau, Wisconsin, our customers benefit from full-service bending capabilities, including annealing and tempering for your aluminum products.
Here are seven tips that will help relieve your tension when stretch forming and finishing your architectural aluminum:
Stretch form before finishing
Nearly all manufacturers’ and applicators’ warranties require that the aluminum extrusions are finished after curving. Finishing before bending often results in marring or damage to the finished surface due to the parts being stretched across the hard form during the curving process.
We perform all the services you need, in the proper sequence and in the same location to ensure you retain the full finish warranty.
#1
Choose any color coating
After stretch forming, we offer a library of more than 50,000 color choices in architectural paint coatings. Enhance your curved aluminum with bold hues, soft pastels or natural earth tones. Use our Color Select & Spec tool to narrow your search, sort by color families and find your perfect shade for a painted finish.
Remember to take a look at our specialty finishes, too. Textured terra cottas, shining metallics, sparkling micas and one-of-a-kind spattercoat creations. Still don’t see what you need? Our in-house laboratory can custom match and blend the right formulation.
#2
Ask for anodize
If you want a curved profile that highlights the natural beauty and durability of metal, you’ll want to explore our palette of anodize finishes.
Clear anodize remains the most popular finish to emphasize aluminum’s inherent appeal. Standard colors of anodize also include champagne, bronze tones and black. Expanding expectations beyond the standard, our specialty collection also offers proprietary Copper Anodize and Bordeaux Anodize.
#3
Learn the lingo
We’re happy to help you decipher the terminology of stretch forming and finishing aluminum. As examples:
• The chord is the distance, or width, between the points where the curve begins and ends.
• The rise is the distance, or height, from the exact center of the chord to the top of the arc.
The chord, rise and straight legs (if needed) are the only measurements needed to determine the arc length. Download our measuring guidelines to assist you.
#4
Be mindful of the max
The maximum arc length that can be stretch formed by Linetec is 260 inches. Larger lengths are reviewed on an individual basis. Curved shapes can be up to 10 inches in width. A template is needed for compound curves –a single extrusion that has more than one radius – and will likely require a custom die. Also, please keep in mind that the standard cut-length of 24 feet is assumed unless you tell us otherwise.
#5
Add value where it matters
After your material is stretch formed, not only do we enhance its appearance and performance with our finishing, we also can thermally improve your fenestration framing. You can choose from either thermal pour-and-debridge or thermal strut barriers. Thermal strut provides the added benefit of dual finishing, where the interior and exterior framing surfaces can be specified with different colors or finish types.
#6
Find savings where it counts
Our quality-controlled stretch forming and finishing processes are engineered and managed for optimal efficiency and consistency. Linetec’s ability to stretch form and finish at a single location allows your curved and linear material to be completed in the same batch. The result is a finish with minimal variation across all products used in a specific project.
Because Linetec operates our own fleet of trucks, your curved, finished products also can be delivered with shortened lead times. Combining curving, finishing and thermal improvement services on one campus eliminates the freight costs between facilities. This also minimizes handling and ensures a delivery of damage-free material to the jobsite using a Linetec route truck.
#7
For personalized assistance with your stretch forming needs, please contact your local representative.
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