V Grooving and folding of sheet metals

Creating precise, sharp angles and folds with V-Grooving machinery

Bending metal using a V-Grooving machine allows it to be folded to a tight radius, or sharp corner. This enables folded metal to mimic solid bar material at around a tenth of the cost and also avoids wastage. V-Grooved profiles look just like solid bar material but are light in weight and easier to transport and install.

See comparison of V-Grooved and folded profile with non V-Grooved profile

We can V-Groove and fold up to 4 metre lengths of material and thicknesses from 0.8mm to 6mm.

The V-Grooving machine in action

Depending on the thickness of the material and the type of fold required, the V-Groove machine cutting head will run a programmed number of times along the sheet material.

See the video of our V-Grooving machine in action in Wimbledon, London, UK

A way to achieve cost-effective high-specification finishes for today’s architects and interior designers

Architects aiming to achieve upmarket, high-specification interiors and finishes rather than specify solid materials can utilise V-Grooved folding. This method of creating solid-looking trims, architraves and skirting enables endless design options.

Using PVD stainless steel, the V-Grooving process is used to create colour-matched display fixtures, fascias, curtain-walling and cladding.

Where initially a solid metal has been considered for a project this can be value-engineered to V-Grooved profiles with no loss of aesthetic. For boutique hotels and luxury retail brands these lightweight V-Grooved profiles are a cost-effective alternative.

For exterior cladding and curtain-walling V-Groove folds allow for seamless butting-up or can create decorative shadow gaps.

V-Grooving is also called score-folding, V-cutting and back-scoring.

See where V-Grooving has been used to create bar glass-racks that appear to be solid brass

Creating sophisticated elevator lobbies

Button panels, cladding, trim and architrave are created from V-Grooved and folded metals.

See case study for elevators and lobby created using V- Grooved panels, architrave and trim.

Seamless interior panelling and cladding

PVD stainless steel sheet is V-Grooved and folded to create escalator side and base panels enabling close butting-up for a visually seamless effect.

See more on this project

Durable washroom cubicles and trims

The cubicle doors and partitioning in this railway station washroom have been created using PVD coloured stainless steel in Rose Gold Hairline.

Read more on this project

Sharp and stylish elevator cab interiors

Elevator cab in Nickel Hairline and Chrome Vibration PVD coloured stainless steel with Brass Mirror detail and Chocolate Vibration frieze and kickplate.

See more on elevator cabs

Dramatic yet lightweight exterior facelifts

These decorative brise soleil fins, canopy and panels are created using V-Grooved and folded PVD coloured, textured, stainless steel in Chocolate.

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Cost-effective glass-racks and bar fittings

V-Grooved and folded stainless steel creates the appearance of solid brass bar for this overhead glass rack. in the Brasserie at The Devonshire Club Hotel.

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No wastage

Channelling out solid bar material creates waste from an expensive commodity. V-Grooving and folding creates minimum waste and is on average a tenth of the cost of working with solid bar metals.

Speed

A V-Groover can machine more grooves in one hour than a traditional milling machine or router can perform in eight hours. This means it is cheaper in the cost of labour and large volumes can be handled in relatively quick timescales.

Groove shape options

V-Grooving can be created in a broader “V” as well as other shapes. In other words a V-Groove can be a U-Groove or even a Square Groove enabling a range of design variations through the radii of the folds.

Creates small, fine-detail profiles

The V-Groover is set to a highly accurate measurement – so much so that a grooved sheet could be put through a second time with no deviation or alteration to the first groove. This means very precise and small profiles can be fabricated.

A cost-effective Aesthetic

V-Grooved and folded profiles in appearance look as if they are cold-drawn or extruded metal. This gives the impression of a solid bar and high-quality finish whilst being cost-effective, lighter in weight and cheaper to produce.

Precision enabling design options

Precision folding – V-Grooving allows for folding to a tight radius, creating sharp bends enabling a matching set of profiles across a range of applications such as fascias, architraves, skirtings, sockets and bar and counter-top frames.