Material Specification
Steel
Our Columns and brackets are produced from S235, S275 S355 and or S450 high strength steels. These grades of steel conform with the following standards or the equivalent steel following international standards:
EN10149: Hot rolled flat products of high yield strength steels for cold forming.
EN10210: Hot finished structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain structural steels..
EN10219: Cold formed structural hollow section of non-alloy fine grain steels.
EN10025: Hot rolled products of non-alloy structural steels – Technical delivery conditions (includes amendment A1:1993).
Galvanising: In order to obtain the best quality galvanising for our products, all steel used is closely monitored for silicon content and it’s suitability for the galvanising processes. The galvanising process and testing fully complies with EN ISO 1461:2009.
Hot rolled flat products in High-Strength Steel obtained by cold shaping:This new Steel is obtained by the addition of micro alloy elements (Titanium, Niobium, Vanadium…), which increases its resistance and makes it easier to weld, whilst maintaining good cold deformation. It also has better corrosion resistance.
Hot rolled products are made of type S235 Construction Steel: Alloy composed mainly of Iron with Carbon to which different elements (Manganese, Silicon, etc.) are added in order to obtain minimal mechanical resistance.
Tubular Column Production Line
The manufacturing of Valmont tubular columns begins with the cutting of the chosen tube to the correct length for the base of the column. The tube is then thoroughly de-burred at the point of the cut ensuring no sharp edges are left on the tube.
We then need to shape the base at the cutting point to receive the shaft. This is done by applying pressure to the base with dies. These dies control the shape of the base, we can choose different dies to accommodate a wide range of shaft diameters.
After the shaping of the base we then need to put the door and the cable slot in the desired place. This is done by an automated plasma burner that can be programmed to whatever shape and size of our choosing.
Once the door and cable slot have been cut out the base can then be sent to final assembly where the shaft can be fitted. The shaft can be shaped in the same manner as the base to receive all sorts of different bracket fittings.
During assembly the back plates are welded into the base compartment ready to receive the base board. Any other internal fittings are welded into the base at this stage.
Galvanizing
Galvanising is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel. This coating protects the steel in 3 ways; it gives a physical barrier to protect the steel from moisture, it acts as a sacrificial anode so the coating will corrode before the steel and hence extends the overall corrosion resistance of the system and it gives good abrasion resistance. Valmont’s steel products are hot-dip galvanized to ensure an even coating on both external and internal surfaces of the product. In order to obtain the best quality galvanizing for our products, all steel used is closely monitored for silicon content and it’s suitability for the galvanizing processes. The galvanizing process and testing fully complies with EN ISO 1461:1999.
After galvanizing, the columns are inspected. They are straightened manually by qualified operators capable of evaluating the straightness of the products. This is necessary to correct any distortion that may occur due to the heat of the galvanising process.