WCA September 2021

Products

Streamlining ground mount array installations IronRidge has further streamlined the process of designing and installingground mount arrays when using ground screws as the foundation method. In March, the company completed compatibility testing with Krinner’s G-Series ground screw and American Ground Screw’s Model-3, and now offers a certified systems engineering letter. Both ground screw options are now part of the UL2703 listing for IronRidge’s XR ground-based system. This ensures the attachment hardware (hex-head set screws) is added to the bill of materials, and the engineering letter is added to the downloadable zip file of certification letters and ground mount installation manuals. Ground screws are becoming a preferred foundation method for ground-based arrays. In a recent survey of IronRidge installers, ground screws were chosen over cement pilings by a ratio of 2:1. to streamline the design and install of ground mount systems delivers on that promise,” said IronRidge CEO Rich Tiu. “We have collaborated closely with two pre-eminent manufacturers of ground screws to make this possible. And we listened closely to our installers to deepen our understanding of their processes. The result is a combination of hardware, software and engineering that saves installers time and money.” IronRidge www.ironridge.com As well as allowing faster installation because there is no need to wait for

Additionally, IronRidge manufactures custom attachment hardware that is required to connect the sub-structure to the ground screws. These hex-head set screws provide corrosion protection and a thread-locking coating to ensure fasteners do not loosen over time. IronRidge has designed and tested the set screw for use with both Krinner and American Ground Screw products, to meet the load requirements placed on the system. The company has also added the option to select ground screws in the Ground Mount Design Assistant online platform.

foundation inspections and the concrete to cure, ground screws perform well in a wide variety of soil types and conditions, from sandy and rocky to hard-packed clay. “IronRidge has long been committed to reducing our installers’ soft costs, and this latest initiative

❍ Ground screws on an IronRidge ground mount system provide strong attachments with a clean aesthetic

Whitepaper addresses issue of welding vs fastening

While welding is a proven and some- times preferred method of fabricating steel-to-steel connections, fasteners offer advantages in many applications, includ- ing time, cost, labour savings and safety. When evaluating whether welding or fastening is better suited for a particular installation, a variety of project factors should be considered. In the final analysis, the type of joint to be specified and fabricated depends on materials, coatings, load factors and more, as well as operational preferences. All-Pro Fasteners has published a new whitepaper, Fastening vs Welding: Fabricating Better Joints, which addresses these factors in detail. Subjects discussed in the whitepaper include the weldability of the materials to be fastened (including surface coatings that may be affected by heat), joint types, installation processes, logistics, in- spection requirements, cost, labour avail- ability, accessibility, environmental con- ditions, safety, and future maintenance considerations.

All-Pro Fasteners is offering a free down- load of the whitepaper, which includes an overview of welding and of fastening processes, project factors to consider, and a comparison of both joining methods. An introduction to the Lindapter® advanced clamping system is also included, describing how the system can deliver high-strength joints in the field by quickly clamping two steel sections using only hand-tightening tools. Fabricating Better Joints is the second whitepaper in our Fastener Facts series, which we are developing to provide in-depth information concerning fastening and related joining processes,” said Todd Grzych, director of marketing and communications at All-Pro Fasteners. “Our initial Fastener Facts whitepaper, Fastener Corrosion: Avoiding Problems in Advance, provides an overview of the leading causes of corrosion, along with strategies for minimising or avoiding corrosion through the selection of fastener materials, designs and coatings.” “Fastening vs Welding:

Both whitepapers can be downloaded by visiting www.apf.com/fastener-facts All-Pro Fasteners www.apf.com Toggle latches Berardi Bullonerie offers a variety of toggle latch models, available in different materials (stainless steel, iron, carbon steel), and finishes (zinc, nickel, brass, plated). Versions are available to suit a broad range of industrial applications, including industrial vehicles, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, cooking appliances and protective cases. The company’s technical office can provide pre- and post-sales assistance for both standard and special toggle latches. Berardi Bullonerie Srl www.gberardi.com

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September 2021