Systems
With almost three decades of experience Euroclad has diverse manufacturing capabilities: in depth engineering skills; broad materials understanding; innovative and pro-active problem solving capabilities; well honed project management skills and an open attitude as a creative collaborator. This unique combination makes us ideally placed for collaborative relationships with architects and designers.
One project which is a key example of Euroclad’s exceptional technical ability was the transformation of the former Millennium Dome into the O2 Arena. Costing £500 million, the project was designed by HOK Sport and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine. Specialist roofing contractor WWR installed the roof and the perimeter bullnose. Euroclad took on the contract for the bullnose feature on a design and supply basis, appointing Buro Happold to assist with the analysis of the complex geometry.
A strategy was developed by a team working collaboratively to provide the optimum solution for the bullnose structure, which was installed around the 468m perimeter of the roof. The feature detail was ultimately realised by Euroclad manufacturing 95 individual 5m assemblies, each formed from 73 cold formed galvanised steel components. These were finished with 760 individual ALPOLIC/fr ACM skin elements which combined to create the final bullnose geometry.
Installation of this structure was an intricate operation; the galvanised assemblies were built at our factory in Cardiff and transported to site where they were attached to the primary steel work at 10m from ground level. The Alpolic skins were then installed before the whole structure was lifted into its final position 40m above the ground.
MCM has an excellent flatness achieved by a continuous laminating process. The material is lightweight and rigid but also impact resistant due to the unique composite construction of metal skins bonded to a viscoelastic polymer or mineral core. Importantly, the material is easy to cut, bend, groove and shape thanks to Euroclad’s investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing machinery.