Steel Frame
Bolted Ball Space Frame
AGICO offers fabrication services for all components of a bolted ball space frame, a steel frame that uses bolt-ball joints, with pipe members cut by the HID-900MTS CNC pipe intersecting line-cutting machine. The core processes include material re-inspection, tapered forging, milling, and automated welding. Necessary tests include high-strength bolt tensile strength, weld quality, and structural stability, and comply with standards such as GB 50205.
Here are the basic requirements for space frame components fabrication:
- The cutting quality must meet industry technical standards such as JG/T 10-2009 and GB/T 16939-1997.
- The dimensional accuracy of the pipe cutting length is controlled within ±0.5mm, and the allowable error of the bevel angle is ≤5°.
- The CNC equipment is adopted to ensure the processing accuracy of the members.
- Node assembly must control the gap and perpendicularity error within ±0.5mm.
Bolted Ball Space Frame Fabrication Introduction
The fabrication and erection of bolt ball space frames require specialized expertise in steel structure design, welding deformation control, and lifting operations, supported by dedicated manufacturing and installation equipment.
Equipment used for space frame installation includes truck cranes and single-angle derricks. The manufacturing equipment includes NXC-2 double-head automatic welding machines and quality control measures, including daily steel tape measure calibration and random sampling.
Additional Solutions: AGICO owns related utility model patents that propose improvement solutions for applications such as assembling support devices and replacing connecting rods, enhancing assembly and disassembly efficiency and stability.
Steel Frame Details
Bolted Ball Space Frame Components and Specifications
Bolted ball joint steel space frames are a common type of spatial grid structure, and the reliability of their connection nodes is a key safety factor. For each space frame project, selecting the correct standard accessories is fundamental to ensuring the safety and quality of the space frame. AGICO has developed key standard specifications for several commonly used accessories in bolted ball joint steel space frames (sealing plate, end plates, cone heads, high-strength structure bolts, threadless nuts, top screws, and bolt balls) for reference by engineering design, construction, procurement, and related technical personnel.
Sealing Plate Specifications
Sealing plates are used to seal unused threaded holes on bolt balls. Their main specifications are shown in the table below (outer diameter, thickness, and inner hole are all in millimeters (mm), and unit weight is in kilograms (kg):
| Model No. | Outer Diameter × Thickness (mm) | Inner Hole Diameter (mm) | Unit Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Φ48 × 14 | 17 | 0.25 |
| 2 | Φ48 × 16 | 21 | 0.25 |
| 3 | Φ60 × 14 | 17 | 0.36 |
| 4 | Φ60 × 16 | 21 | 0.36 |
| 5 | Φ60 × 16 | 23 | 0.36 |
| 6 | Φ76 × 20 | 28 | 0.57 |
Cone Head Specifications
The cone head is a key component connecting the steel pipe and the bolt ball. Its outer end is welded to the steel pipe, and a high-strength bolt is inserted into the inner hole and connected to the bolt ball.
Basic dimensions of the cone: The table below lists the outer diameter, length, inner bore compatibility range, and reference weight ( unit: mm, kg) of different specifications of cone tips.
| Model No. | Outer Diameter × Length (mm) | Applicable Bore Diameter Range (mm) | Unit Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Φ76 × 60 | 21 – 28 | 1.5 |
| 2 | Φ89 × 70 | 21 – 31 | 2.2 |
| 3 | Φ114 × 70 | 21 – 34 | 3.2 |
| 4 | Φ140 × 90 | 28 – 37 | 5.4 |
| 5 | Φ159 × 120 | 37 – 57 | 10.5 |
| 6 | Φ180 × 120 | 40 – 65 | 13.5 |
| 7 | Φ219 × 140 | 42 – 65 | 18.0 |
Correspondence Between Thickness of the Cone-shaped Base Plate and Bolt Diameter
The thickness of the cone-shaped base plate needs to be determined based on the diameter of the high-strength bolts used to ensure sufficient load-bearing capacity.
| No. | Applicable Bolt Diameter Range | Cone Head Base Plate Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M20 – M24 | 16 |
| 2 | M27 – M33 | 20 |
| 3 | M36 – M42 | 30 |
| 4 | M45 – M52 | 35 |
| 5 | M56 | 40 |
| 6 | M64 | 45 |
High-Strength Structure Bolt Specifications
High-strength structure bolts are the core load-bearing components of space frame nodes, and their specifications are usually defined by their diameter and length (single). (Position: mm, kg)
| No. | Specification | Diameter (mm) | Length (mm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M16 | 16 | 63 | 0.14 |
| 2 | M20 | 20 | 73 | 0.25 |
| 3 | M22 | 22 | 75 | 0.32 |
| 4 | M24 | 24 | 82 | 0.41 |
| 5 | M27 | 27 | 90 | 0.58 |
| 6 | M30 | 30 | 98 | 0.8 |
| 7 | M33 | 33 | 101 | 1.00 |
| 8 | M36 | 36 | 125 | 1.43 |
| 9 | M39 | 39 | 128 | 1.8 |
| 10 | M42 | 42 | 136 | 2.16 |
| 11 | M45 | 45 | 145 | 2.66 |
| 12 | M48 | 48 | 148 | 3.14 |
| 13 | M52 | 52 | 162 | 4.00 |
| 14 | M56 | 56 | 172 | 5.07 |
| 15 | M64 | 64 | 205 | 7.64 |
Specifications of Threadless Nuts
Threadless nuts (also known as sleeves) are used in conjunction with high-strength bolts and are secured with set screws. Their specifications include width across flats, inner diameter, and length (units: mm, kg).
| No. | Width across flats / Inner hole (mm) | Length (mm) | Unit weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 / 17 | 30 | 0.15 |
| 2 | 34 / 21 | 35 | 0.28 |
| 3 | 36 / 23 | 35 | 0.31 |
| 4 | 41 / 25 | 40 | 0.46 |
| 5 | 46 / 28 | 40 | 0.58 |
| 6 | 50 / 31 | 45 | 0.76 |
| 7 | 55 / 34 | 45 | 0.93 |
| 8 | 60 / 37 | 55 | 1.35 |
| 9 | 65 / 40 | 55 | 1.58 |
| 10 | 70 / 43 | 60 | 2.00 |
| 11 | 75 / 46 | 60 | 2.30 |
| 12 | 80 / 49 | 60 | 2.61 |
| 13 | 85 / 53 | 70 | 3.45 |
| 14 | 90 / 57 | 70 | 3.86 |
| 15 | 100 / 65 | 90 | 6.12 |
Top Screw Specifications
Set screws are used to tighten threadless nuts and prevent them from loosening. Common specifications are as follows (diameter x length, unit: mm).
| No. | Specification (Bolt Size) | Diameter (mm) | Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M6 | 6 | 12 |
| 2 | M8 | 8 | 15 |
| 3 | M10 | 10 | 18 |
| 4 | M10 | 10 | 20 |
| 5 | M10 | 10 | 23 |
Bolt Ball Specifications
Bolt balls, as connecting components, are available in a series of diameter sizes. Common bolt ball diameters (unit: mm) include φ100, φ110, φ120, φ130, φ140, φ150, φ160, φ180, φ200, φ220, φ240, φ250, φ260, φ280, φ300, and φ350. In practical projects, the appropriate bolt ball diameter must be selected based on factors such as the grid dimensions of the space frame and the internal forces of the members.
- Standard Reference
The parameters listed in the tables are commonly used standard specifications. In actual projects, the specific design drawings and relevant national standards (such as “Steel Structure Design Standard” GB50017 and “Technical Specification for Spatial Grid Structures” JGJ) should be used as the reference.
- Strict Quality Control
The requirements for the space frame materials, mechanical properties, tolerances, and surface treatment of accessories should also comply with the corresponding product standards.
- Contact for Customization
For major projects, it is recommended to consult AGICO and obtain the latest product technical information.
