Metal Canopy Arch Assembly Without Welding or Galvanization Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steel structures require on-site cutting, bending, and welding, which damages the galvanization layer, leading to corrosion and inefficiencies in assembly.
Innovation Solution
Assembling laser-cut, pre-galvanized steel pieces with fasteners, eliminating the need for on-site manipulation and preserving the weather-proof finish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-location cutting, bending, and welding are performed on galvanized steel pieces, then the pieces can be customized and assembled, but the galvanization layer is damaged leading to corrosion and aesthetic degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The steel pieces are laser-cut to exact dimensions and pre-galvanized in the factory before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures that all customization and surface treatment are completed under controlled conditions, eliminating the need for on-location manipulation that would damage the galvanization layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is divided into multiple pre-fabricated modular components (arches, cross beams, support poles, coupling poles) that are manufactured separately with precise laser cutting and galvanization, then assembled on-site without requiring further cutting or welding operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional assembly methods with on-location cutting and welding are used, then structural customization is achieved, but assembly time and manpower requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
All structural components are pre-cut to exact dimensions and pre-assembled into modular units in the factory using automated laser cutting and welding equipment, eliminating the need for slow manual on-location operations and enabling rapid assembly on-site.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process transitions from traditional mechanical cutting and bending to automated laser cutting, achieving precise dimensional control and faster production rates for customized components while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If galvanized steel pieces are subjected to on-location manipulation, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the weather-proof seal of galvanization is ruined
Solution Approach 1:
The galvanization process is performed in the factory before the pieces are shipped to the construction site, ensuring that the weather-proof protective layer is applied under controlled conditions and remains intact throughout transportation and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of galvanizing the steel pieces on-location after assembly (which would expose the metal to harmful operations), the galvanization is inverted to occur beforehand in the factory, protecting the steel throughout the entire assembly process and final installation.
Data Source
AI summary
An arch for a metal canopy, including: a right-hand rafter; a left-hand rafter; and an apex brace, wherein each of the right-hand and left-hand rafters includes: an upper rafter beam and a lower rafter beam, the upper and lower rafter beams having an I-beam shape, a plurality of pylons, each of the pylons having upper and lower I-shaped opening adapted to receive therethrough the upper and rafter beams respectively, and at least a portion of the pylons including an opening for receiving the apex brace therethrough, and a plurality of slanted profiles disposed between the every two pylons of the plurality of pylons.