As a core connecting accessory in aluminum Truss systems, the square sleeve for aluminum truss is used to extend truss length, enhance splicing stability, and enable connection of trusses with multiple specifications.Aluminum Truss Square Sleeve Relying on the advantages of aluminum alloy's light weight and high strength, it is extensively used in scenarios like performance stages, exhibition projects, and temporary exhibition stands, functioning as a core component for the modular assembly and flexible extension of trusses. I. Core Functions:aluminum truss connector square Addressing Two Key Needs of "Length Extension" and "Connection Reinforcement"
1. Flexible Truss Extension to Adapt to Different Span Requirements
Aluminum trusses are mostly standard sections of 4m/6m/8m. When longer spans are required for actual construction (e.g., 10m main Stage Truss, 12m exhibition backdrop truss), the square sleeve acts as an square sleeve for truss aluminum "intermediate connector" to accurately join and extend two standard truss units. Its length is usually 20cm-40cm (customizable on demand), which can effectively fill the gap at the truss splice, ensuring uniform stress distribution across the extended truss and avoiding load-bearing weakness caused by "breakpoints" at the splice. 2. Enhancing Splicing Stability and Distributing Joint Load
Unlike ordinary flange connections that rely solely on bolt fixation, the square sleeve adopts a "nested structure": the outer wall of the sleeve precisely matches the inner hole of the truss (gap ≤0.5mm), with a nesting depth ≥10cm. This design can evenly transfer the vertical loads and horizontal tensile forces at the truss splice to the sleeves and trusses on both sides, greatly alleviating the local stress concentration at the joint. For example, for a 12m-span aluminum truss (spliced from two 6m sections), truss square aluminum sleeve the bending resistance at the splice can be increased by over 30% after installing a square sleeve, making it suitable for suspending equipment such as lighting and LED screens.
3. Adapting to Multi-Specification Compatibility and Reducing Accessory Inventory Costs
Some square sleeves are designed as "reducing models" (e.g., one end adapting to a 100mm×100mm truss inner hole, Rigging Hardware and the other end to a 120mm×120mm inner hole), enabling connection of aluminum trusses with different cross-sectional specifications without the need for dedicated connectors for each truss type. For instance, in small-scale performances, a reducing sleeve can connect a 100mm-section lighting truss to a 120mm-section main truss, balancing load-bearing and flexible combination while reducing accessory Truss Accessories procurement and inventory pressure. II. Core Structure and Material Characteristics
1. Basic Structural Design (Universal Model)
Main Sleeve: Features a square hollow structure with a smooth, burr-free inner wall (to avoid scratching the truss inner wall during installation). Both ends are equipped with "guiding chamfers" (angle 15°-30°) for quick insertion into the truss inner hole, improving assembly efficiency.
Positioning and Fixing Holes:Stage Accessories 2-4 sets of bolt holes (aperture 8mm-12mm) are symmetrically drilled on the sleeve sidewall. After aligning with the pre-drilled connection holes on the truss, high-strength bolts (mostly M8/M10 specifications) are used for locking to prevent relative sliding between the sleeve and truss during use. Some heavy-duty models also have "reinforcing ribs" Truss Hardware Accessories (thickness 3mm-5mm) added in the middle of the sleeve to further enhance deformation resistance. 2. Material and Craftsmanship: Balancing Lightweight and Durability
Core Base Material: Uses 6061-T6 aviation-grade aluminum alloy, consistent with the main aluminum truss. It has a tensile strength of ≥260MPa and yield strength of ≥240MPa, ensuring the sleeve’s strength matches the main truss and preventing "accessory failure first". Stage Hardware Accessories A 30cm-long square sleeve with a 100mm×100mm cross-section weighs only 1.2kg-1.8kg, which can be installed by one person without additional hoisting equipment. Surface Treatment: Adopts the same "anodization" process as the aluminum truss, with an oxide film thickness of ≥10μm. This not only improves surface hardness (scratch resistance) but also resists indoor humidity (e.g., condensation from stage lighting) and mild outdoor rain. No rust occurs during long-term use, and its service life is consistent with the main truss (up to 8-10 years).
Precision Control: Manufactured via CNC machining, with a cross-sectional dimension tolerance of ≤±0.2mm and inner hole finish of Ra1.6μm. This ensures a tight fit with the truss inner hole, avoiding truss wobble after splicing due to excessive gaps.
III. Selection and Usage Precautions
1. Core Selection Principle: Accurate Matching with Truss Specifications
Cross-Section Dimension Matching: The outer dimension of the sleeve must match the inner hole dimension of the truss (e.g., for an aluminum truss with a 100mm×100mm cross-section, select a sleeve with an outer dimension of 100mm×100mm) with a gap ≤0.5mm; otherwise, splicing looseness will occur. For reducing models, clearly confirm the "adaptable specifications at both ends" to avoid mismatching.
Length and Load-Bearing Adaptation: For regular spans (6m-10m), select sleeves 20cm-30cm long; for large spans (10m-15m) or heavy-load scenarios (suspending LED screens, heavy lighting), select reinforced sleeves 30cm-40cm long. The rated load of the sleeve must be ≥1.2 times the total load of the spliced truss (e.g., for a total load of 500kg, the sleeve’s rated load should be ≥600kg).
2. Installation Specifications: Ensuring Secure and Safe Splicing
Pre-Installation Inspection: Clean dust and impurities from the sleeve inner wall and truss inner hole before installation. Check if the sleeve bolt holes align with the truss connection holes (deviation ≤1mm) to avoid installation difficulties caused by foreign objects or misaligned holes.
Nesting Depth and Fixation: The depth of the sleeve inserted into each side of the truss must be ≥10cm (i.e., a 30cm-long sleeve is inserted 10cm into each side, with a 10cm overlap in the middle). Do not insert only 5cm-8cm (this will reduce load-bearing capacity). After aligning the holes, fasten with Grade 8.8 high-strength bolts (equipped with lock nuts) to a torque of 25N・m-35N・m to ensure no looseness.
Span Limitation: The maximum span of aluminum trusses spliced solely by square sleeves should not exceed 15m. For spans over 15m, additional "diagonal braces" or "reinforced cross braces" must be installed at the splice to enhance lateral displacement resistance and bending resistance, preventing sagging in the middle of the truss.
3. Common Issues and Solutions
Issue 1: Sleeve Cannot Be Inserted into the Truss
Cause: Truss inner hole deformation or sleeve dimension deviation.
Solution: Check if the truss is deformed due to transportation impact (minor deformation can be slightly corrected). Replace the sleeve with a dimension-matched one; do not force insertion by tapping (this will damage the truss inner hole).
Issue 2: Truss Wobbles After Splicing
Cause: Excessive gap between the sleeve and truss, or loose bolts.
Solution: Replace the sleeve with a precision-qualified one, re-tighten the bolts (calibrate torque with a torque wrench), and attach thin anti-slip rubber strips (thickness 0.1mm-0.2mm) between the sleeve and truss if necessary.
Issue 3: Sleeve Bolt Thread Stripping
Cause: Substandard bolt material or over-tightening.
Solution: Replace with Grade 8.8 or higher high-strength bolts, and fasten to the specified torque (25N・m-35N・m) to avoid thread damage from over-torque.
IV. Typical Application Scenarios
Extension of Main Stage Truss: Splice 6m standard aluminum trusses into a 12m main truss using 30cm square sleeves, for suspending stage backdrop LED screens and top lighting arrays.
Construction of Custom Exhibition Booths: Connect 100mm-section lighting trusses to 120mm-section main exhibition trusses using reducing sleeves, realizing "functional zoning and unified load-bearing".
Temporary Outdoor Billboard Trusses: Splice 8m+8m aluminum trusses into a 16m-span billboard truss using 40cm reinforced sleeves, balancing span requirements and outdoor wind resistance stability.
Wuxi Zhongshengwei Metal Products Co., Ltd.
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