Spinoff story

Rigidized Metal Panels

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

Plasteel Products Corporation approached the Industrial Applications Center at the University of Pittsburgh to search for ideas on rigidized" metal sheeting. Thinner-gage metal with strength of heavier sheeting can be obtained through cold bending stamping dimpling or embossing - referred to as "rigidizing." Pittsburgh came up with 36 reports relevant to Plasteel's needs. On the basis of this search the company purchased an embossing machine with which it hopes to provide thinner gage metal panels where permitted by building codes."