What does 2,000 tons of pressure look like?
That’s the force it would take to flatten a shipping container in seconds – or compact an entire car down to a lunchbox. That’s the kind of pressure California Steel Services applied when tasked with metal forming 145-inch-long, 3/8-inch thick steel plates for a significant construction project in Los Angeles.
While the venue’s name isn’t disclosed, its iconic skyline and historical significance are unmistakable. The challenge? Reinforcing the venue’s concrete seating structure with extensive, curved ASTM steel profiles—fabricated off-site with precise bend radiuses and tight dimensional tolerances.
Table of Contents
Why This Project Was Different
This project wasn’t just another metal bending order. It called for:
- Steel forming of oversized profiles with a significant bend radius (up to 161’2″ for specific profiles)
- Using ASTM A572-50 steel for structural integrity
- Delivering flawless bends in steel sheets for seamless onsite installation.
Standard press brakes couldn’t do the job without compromising strength or accuracy. That’s where CalSteel’s 2,000-ton press brake came in. It’s one of the few in Southern California capable of handling metal forming for plates of this size and thickness.
The Metal Forming Process, Step by Step
At CalSteel, all steel plates went through a precise sequence of production steps. Here they are:
1. Cut and prepped to specs
The raw steel sheets were plasma- or laser-cut to the required 145-inch length. The operators ensured square ends and edge cleanups. Burrs – all removed, and plates inspected for possible surface irregularities that could affect bend consistency.
2. Measured and marked
Each plate was laid out using calibrated measuring tools and chalk lines to identify exact steel bending locations. Depending on the final profile, the layout included bend angles, bend curves, and allowance for spring-back—especially critical when working with ASTM A572-50 steel.
3. Positioned and aligned
The heavy steel sheet was lifted and aligned beneath the 2,000-ton press brake using an overhead crane and multiple operators. Fine positioning adjustments were made using steel wedges and hydraulic supports to ensure uniformity across the entire plate width. The operator confirmed that the tooling setup (dies and punch radius) matched the bend specs.
4. Bent in multiple steps
The press brake applied force in progressive cycles. Due to the large bend radius (up to 161 feet in specified sections), each steel bend was performed incrementally rather than in a single hit. Between bends, the steel plate was rotated, repositioned, and re-aligned to maintain continuity in the curvature. The operators avoided deformation or over-bending, a standard risk with thick sections.
5. Inspected with gauges to ensure accuracy
After metal forming, the CalSteel quality control unit inspected each profile with precision angle gauges, laser alignment tools, and radius templates. Final measurements were compared to CAD drawings to ensure every arc matched the design specs. Only when everything passed was QC approved to ship the part.
The result?
Formed profiles that were shipped and installed without modification—saving time on-site and reducing labor costs
Local Pride in Every Bend
“This job meant a lot to our shop crew,” said Tito Martinez, CalSteel Sales Representative. “We’re all based in the LA area, and knowing our work would help modernize such a well-known local venue and make it special.”
But pride alone doesn’t shape steel. It took experience, careful planning, and a serious piece of equipment to pull it off. “We used our 2,000-ton press brake to form those monstrous 145-inch-long steel plates with absolute precision,” Martinez added. “It’s the kind of job we truly love—tough and technical.”
Serving the West Coast’s Biggest Builds
Whether you’re working on outdoor arenas, large public venues, or high-profile commercial developments across California, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington, CalSteel is ready to deliver. With its in-house truck fleet and proximity to the Western U.S., it can reliably meet tight production schedules and get your precision-formed steel parts on site—on time, every time.
Not Your Average Steel Bending Job
This project represents what CalSteel does best: solving complex metal forming and steel bending challenges that most fabricators can’t touch. Whether oversized steel sheets, large-radius curves, or high-strength ASTM steel, CalSteel has the tools and team to deliver.
When you need more than standard fabrication, call (800) 323-7227 to discuss or visit the calsteel.com website for more details.
Tags: metal forming, steel bending