V-Grooving & folding of sheet metal for lift manufacturers, joinery and fit-out companies

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

Offering architects and designers sophisticated solutions to high-end specifications

Using V-Grooved, folded metal instead of solid bar material has several advantages. It is less expensive, and lighter in weight both to transport and during its installation lifetime, especially important for lift cabs. For boutique hotels and luxury retail brands these lightweight V-Grooved profiles are a cost-effective alternative.

Fit-out companies and elevator manufacturers frequently receive specifications for solid metal from designers and architects who aim to achieve an upmarket look. These specifications can be value-engineered to a lower-cost, but equally aesthetically satisfying, solution by utilising sharply folded sheet material that has the appearance of solid material.

This method of creating solid-looking trims, architraves and skirtings enables a large range of design options for specifiers. Using PVD coloured stainless steel, the V-Grooving process is applied to create matching display fixtures, fascias, curtain-walling and cladding.

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 the video of finished profiles undergoing Quality Control in our workshops in Wimbledon, London

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.

See more on this project

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.

PVD coloured stainless steel

PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coloured stainless steel is a sustainable alternative to anodising and electro-coating both of which involve chemical baths. PVD coloured stainless steel is created through the use of heat and gas and produces no waste products.

Stainless steel can be folded after PVD colouring without cracking or fissuring.

See more on PVD, the range of colours and order a sample

Textured stainless steel

Textured stainless steel brings another dimension to specifying PVD coloured stainless steel. The range of embossed, surfaces provide tactile qualities as well as reflecting light in subtle ways which add to the creative possibilities when designing with this material.

Contact Matt, Estimating & Production Manager via [email protected] to ask about textured stainless steel.

Cor-ten

Cor-ten or, or weathering steel, is designed to develop a rusty patina, be corrosion-resistant and, of course, not need painting or touching up.

John Desmond Ltd have formulated a specialised method of accelerating the development of the patina. This means that fabrication can be carried out in this material and yet meet commercially viable timescales.

Contact Alex via [email protected] to ask about patinated brass for your project.

Patinated Brass

Left untouched, all brass would develop into patinated brass. However ready-patinated brass created by John Desmond Ltd already has an aged, richly-toned surface and is stabilised in appearance with the application of a natural sealant.

Contact Alex via [email protected] to ask about patinated brass for your project.

Blackened stainless steel

The blackening of stainless steel actually increases its corrosion-resistance however is mostly specified for its gleaming appearance not easily achieved through other methods.

See how blackened stainless steel has been used to create a dramatic staircase at Google headquarters

Vibration stainless steel

Vibration finish stainless steel is a versatile finish for stainless steel being non-directional and relatively un-reflective. It is one of a range of finishes on stainless steel offered by John Desmond Ltd.

See PVD coloured stainless steel in Vibration and other finishes and order a sample.

Shot-peened stainless steel

Shot-peening, also known as sand-blasting, increases the longevity of steel and is commonly used for aeronautical components. However it also has an interesting and versatile non-directional appearance and is consequently specified for its aesthetic as well as its relative non-reflectancy.

Enquire to John Desmond Ltd about specifying shot-peened steel and stainless steel [email protected]

Anodised aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant material and through the process of anodising can be transformed into a range of coloured finishes.

See the domed gold anodised alumnium ceiling at Wood Lane Underground Station

Laser-cutting

The laser-cutting of stainless steel combined with PVD colouring and V-grooving provides a multitude of creative possibilities for interior and exterior applications.

See how lift-core and stairwell became a dramatic feature in the upgrade of The Gaslight Building