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A Design Study in Steel - Cast Connex Steel Construction Connector

The Center Slot
The center slot of the connector is a key feature in the connector, because the  gusset has to fit cleanly but tightly into the slot for the field assembly. 

One advantage of casting over other fabrication methods is that complex, deep features such as the slot can be produced  as  a near-net shape in the casting.  

 

For the connector, the center slot was formed with a sand core in the mold. 

  • Cores are preformed sand shapes inserted into the mold to produce interior and exterior features in the casting.

Using a core to form the slot offers a clear cost advantage over the extensive machining that would be required to cut out the deep slot in the connectors (10" and 18" deep  cuts for the smallest and largest connectors).


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Copyright 2009  by the Steel Founders' Society of America   All rights reserved. 
Address comments to: blairr@sfsa.org
Last Modified:October, 2009 by STG

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In cooperation with Cast Connex and Pacific Steel Castings