Metal plates can be defined as metals and alloys in the form of flat plates or metal plate stock. The plates usually have a minimum thickness of 0.250", however, they may be larger than 1/4". Metal plates generally come in flat, wide and long stock forms. Surface or finish condition may vary considerably and may include - rough hot rolled, smooth cold finished, pickled & oiled, diamond patterned or textured, plated, anti-slip, galvanized, painted or coated.
Some common materials that are used in the manufacturing of metal plates are stainless steel, vitallium and titanium. They may be straight, flat, angled, with round or oval holes, tubular, and with holes arranged in rows or staggered.
Types of Metal PlatesA comprehensive range of metal plates available in the market can be broadly categorized into two types -
- Metal connector plate - In a metal connector plate, the teeth are stamped by a die so that they are perpendicular to the plane of plate in a specific pattern.
- Metal nail plate - In a metal nail plate, nails are used as a fastener gripping the wood. The nail patterns are marked on or stamped out of the plate.
Of these two types of metal plates, metal connector plates is most commonly used. The press equipment, which is used to manufacture trusses allow them to be made more efficiently and quickly.
The nail is generally used to repair truss joints. This is due to the fact that nailing process is much slower than the techniques used for connector plates. Because of this, nail plate is used only in the cases, where the equipment for toothed connectors is not available. An example of this include construction sites, where most of the repairs are performed.
ApplicationsMetal plates are used in a variety of industrial applications, including -
- Raw material feed for shaping or forming of parts
- Flooring or floor fabrication
- Building & construction materials
- Usage as struts to produce mechanical support, or as buttresses pushing in a fragment