Longtime automotive prototype supplier Quality Metalcraft (QMC) has found a new area for growth--in the building and construction industries. QMC is fabricating massive panels of stainless steel and sheet metal as cladding for the new Motor City Casino and Hotel in downtown Detroit. QMC has shown it has the experience and capacity to handle this unique challenge, using systems and tooling never before employed in architecture. The implications for QMC as a custom steel fabricator for the architectural and construction industries are very exciting. Detroit, MI (PRWEB) February 16, 2007 -- One of Detroit's premier automotive parts suppliers is expanding its operations by making a bold move into another industry. Livonia-based Quality Metalcraft (QMC) is currently fabricating a massive tonnage of architectural stainless steel for the new, automotive-themed Motor City Casino and Hotel project in downtown Detroit.

The casino breaks new ground in theme architecture, with exterior and interior design oversite from legendary hot-rod designer and television star Chip Foose. The design clads the entire complex--including the old temporary casino and the new hotel, casino, and convention center--in sweeps of curving metal that recall classic mid-century Detroit vehicles.

In attacking an architectural metal fabrication project of this size, complexity, and high profile, QMC is turning heads throughout the architecture, building, and gaming industries. When the project is finished, the firm will have taken another decisive step toward redefining both its role in the automotive industry and in Detroit manufacturing in general.

All of which, the firm hopes, will lead to future contracts for large-scale architectural metal.

Bringing world-class automotive technology to the building industry

"The use of (state-of-the-art automotive) CATIA design technology has never been tried in architecture, to our knowledge," said QMC operations chief Ken Lerg, who is spearheading the project. "The implications for future applications in building are very exciting for us. And the architects and builders we're working with are blown away by what we can give them."

This month, QMC plans to begin shipping the first laser-cut, custom, pre-assembled 8' x 30' modular panels of stainless steel. The casino and convention center will call for hundreds more 10' x 60' panel sections. In all, the project will use approximately 350 tons of stainless steel and another 850 tons of mild steel.

In an effort to bring drama and distinction to their designs, architects have long used sheet metal to clad their structures--and typically paid top dollar for custom fabrications. With the Motor City project, they are discovering that QMC is uniquely equipped to deliver more cost-effective custom metallic fabrications on short deadlines that will dazzle most builders.

When finished, the casino will be a signature Detroit building, featuring design elements from hot-rod builder Foose that recall classic '50s and '60s Detroit automobiles. Foose, star of the popular Overhaulin' television program, has worked with QMC on several specialty vehicles and aftermarket projects over the last decade, and was instrumental in helping QMC land the casino contract.

The QMC Formula: Innovate, Survive, and Thrive
Building such a large structure that reflects the subtle lines of a '62 Cadillac requires a firm with 21st Century automotive technology--and an innovative, can-do attitude.

"This has been an interesting challenge for us. We're figuring out how to laser 30-foot sections of stainless steel on a 10-foot machine bed," Lerg said. "We're using NC press break equipment to create mounting flanges. And we're even laser cutting the mounting holes to avoid unnecessary pounding when the panels are installed."

QMC is using a metal with a polyclad protective coating commonly used for high-profile Class A automotive stampings. The panel can be laser-cut, formed, shipped, and mounted to the building before the coating is removed.

QMC has brought in longtime Detroit construction firm Aristeo to help work out the engineering logistics of hanging so much metal on such a huge structure. Aristeo has years of experience in building fortified automotive stamping and assembly facilities.

QMC has been a choice prototype and low-volume automotive supplier to OEMs in Detroit and worldwide for more than four decades. The firm has evolved and grown substantially in a highly competitive industry because it can assist in computer-aided design, provide engineering support, and fabricate world-class stampings within incredibly tight budgets and deadlines.

"Having cut our teeth in the auto industry, we can roll out architectural metal to exacting detail, quickly, and in big tonnages," said Michael Chetcuti, CEO. "This is a natural new course for our business, and we are tremendously excited about it."

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