The Most Remarkable Commercial Structure Built with Scotpanel Technology
The versatility of Scotpanel 7090 roll forming system is a well established fact. Serving customers all over the world for over three decades, as of the date of this article, it has since its G1 inception been upgraded through two subsequent equipment releases as Scotpanel 7090G2, and more recently Scotpanel 7090G3. However, even thirty years later, Scotpanel 7090G1 continues to create magic. The centerpiece of this magic representing Scottsdale’s ecosystem is the fully integrated production environment embodying design, engineering and CNC fabrication of steel framing, allowing even the most complex of structural assemblies and architectural visions to be executed in an error-free, waste free, and efficiently produced form. This story exemplifies a successful such an execution by STEELO, SA, an Argentinian light-gauge steel fabricator, utilizing solely their Scotpanel 7090G1.
About Steelo
“Steelo was founded in 2022 in Argentina. Our vision was clear: to elevate light-gauge steel frame construction to the highest technical standards. Using advanced technology like the Scottsdale’s Scotpanel 7090G1, our original roll forming platform, Steelo delivers efficient solutions for both the housing sector and the oil & gas industry — covering residential buildings and warehouses alike.
Despite being a young company, we’ve grown steadily, gaining relevance in the national market and expanding beyond Argentina, recently adding KFS Framemaker 1420G1 to our equipment to service our mid-rise modular work. Our technical department is Scottsdale-certified, positioning us as a skilled and qualified team. This technical expertise allows them to support our clients through every stage, from design to execution, while meeting international standards and adding value to every project.”
Manuel Linares, Managing Partner, Steelo, SA
Modular Warehouse Project
Steelo is proud to deliver a unique modular warehouse engineered entirely with precision roll-formed light gauge steel profiles. The structure will house MYE, S.A. modular construction facility and has itself been designed for modular deployment — preassembled, transported on trucks, and rapidly installed on-site.
All framing members were manufactured in-house using the ZAR 340 galvanized steel coil (similar to ASTM A653 HSLAS Gr. 50) and Scotpanel 7090G1 roll-forming system, with the design produced fully using Scottsdale’s ScotSteel software platform, producing geometrically precise panelized truss assemblies consisting of 90-mm C-sections. Optimized for load-bearing performance, the structure is fully compliant with AISI S100-16 and CIRSOC 303, and it entailed a minimum logistical footprint for its assebly. It also worth noting that Steelo is a member of SICLA, and in turn, SICLA is an authorized listee of Scottsdale’s ICC-ES ESR 1538 code approval, covering all Scotpanel 7090 shapes, offering the client an additional level of security and confidence in Scottsdale’s technology deployed by Steelo. The Spanish version of this code report, ICC-ES ESR 1538-SP, is also publicly available to SICLA’s customers.
The modular nature of the building allows for scalable deployment and reusability, making it ideal for industrial operators seeking flexibility, speed, and structural integrity without compromising on standards. With STEELO’s integrated engineering and manufacturing capabilities, modular steel buildings can now meet the most demanding performance criteria — sustainably and at scale.
The modular nature of the building allows for scalable deployment and reusability, making it ideal for industrial operators seeking flexibility, speed, and structural integrity without compromising on standards. With STEELO’s integrated engineering and manufacturing capabilities, modular steel buildings can now meet the most demanding performance criteria — sustainably and at scale.
The primary challenge was achieving a 30-meter (98-ft) clear span while at the same time using a light, easily assembled and portable structural system. With the benefit of the unique Scottsdale roll-forming technology, luckily, we were able to do so using only 90-mm (3.5-in.) deep cold-formed steel sections measuring only 1.15 mm (18 Ga., 0.043 mil) in thickness. The span requirement demanded an exceptionally efficient structural strategy and a unique structural system.
To accomplish this, the structure was designed as a catenary arch, which naturally channels loads through axial forces and minimizes bending demands along the span. Additionally, we implemented a three-hinged (tri-articulated) system to ensure zero bending moment at the supports.
This approach was critical. By eliminating support moments, the structure relied almost entirely on axial capacity, allowing us to achieve such a large clear span with lightweight 90-mm deep light-gauge steel profiles—something that would not have been feasible with a conventional beam-type solution.
Ensuring precision in the construction of a curved geometry assembled from multiple prefabricated segments then becomes a crucial consideration, one that warrants the usage of advanced light-gauge steel fabrication technologies.
Watch the video featuring an in-depth review of the project from the standpoint of Steelo SA, narrated by its founder and CEO Manuel Linares.
According to Linares, Scotpanel 7090G1 was a key enabler of this project, thanks to its high-precision automated manufacturing and exceptional production speed. This is because catenary arch was composed of multiple repeated segments that needed to be geometrically identical for the structure to perform as intended, and Scotpanel produces high-precision, zero-waste framing with the accuracy of 1 mm (less than 1/16 of an inch).
The advanced Scottsdale roll former system allowed Steelo to:
- Fabricate each segment with millimetric accuracy, including precise cut angles, hole locations, and lengths,
- Maintain perfect repeatability, guaranteeing that every piece fit seamlessly during on-site assembly,
- Produce the entire set of catenary components in a fraction of the time—at least four times faster than any manual or semi-manual fabrication process, and
- Minimize human error through CAD-to-machine integration, ensuring the geometry modelled in software was replicated exactly on the rollformer
“In practical terms, this project would not have been viable—either economically or in terms of timeline—without the speed, repeatability, and dimensional consistency provided by the Scotpanel 7090G1,” stated Linares, adding: “Its advanced manufacturing capability transformed a geometrically demanding catenary arch into a feasible, efficient, and high-performance light-gauge steel (LGS) solution.”
Light-Gauge Steel Frame Erection Process & Finished Building Middle Section
What Exactly is ZAR 340?
ZAR 340 is a Brazilian steel designation (used by producers like Usiminas) for hot-dip galvanized high-strength low-alloy steel. The “340” refers to its minimum yield strength of 340 MPa.
The closest international equivalents are:
- ASTM A653 HSLAS Grade 50 (345 MPa yield) — the nearest US equivalent, essentially the same strength class
- EN 10346 HX340LAD — the European equivalent for galvanized HSLA steel at the same yield level
- JIS G3302 SGC440 — approximate Japanese equivalent
Versatility is a huge part of the ability of Scotpanel 7090G1 steel framing roll former to accommodate complex and unique projects such as this. The photo to the left illustrates the so-called strong-back truss reinforcement, which is a method of strengthening of both compression and tension chord of a light-gauge steel truss, allowing for larger load-carrying capacity, while still adhering to the geometric restrictions of the projects.
Strongback C-section channels are also rolled from Scotpanel 7090G1 and match the section geometry of the truss chords they reinforce. Strongback C-section studs are typically applied to each side of the inline truss they reinforce and attached using self-tapping screws. This type of reinforcement can also be very effective in strengthening the portion of the truss chord subject to combined flexure and compression (or tension), such as due to attachment of purlins between panel points. Read more on light-gauge steel truss reinforcement methods in this article.
View another areal stunning areal video of the construction in progress of this unique light-gauge steel-framed structure.
To interact with Steelo and other Scottsdale-equipped light-gauge steel fabricators in LATAM, consult our directory of steel fabricators. Alternatively, to learn how to start up your own steel framing operation and benefit from Scottsdale’s industry-leading steel framing roll former technology, please contact us at sales@scottsdalesteelframes.com.
