Adding Strength And Sturdiness To Your Tubular Design

Ensure your product design is entirely robust by using tube connectors to add the finishing touch.

Tube connectors are the final part of a tubular design that acts to bind the finished product together. So, take for example a school chair made with metal tubes as the legs and feet. To connect each of the tubular legs to the bridge which sits beneath the plastic seat, you’ll need to use tube connectors to create a sturdy design. By doing so, you can be assured that the chair won’t buckle and break a leg off when a child sits on it. The tube connectors bind each of the individual tube legs together to create the finished product. Of course, this is just one example where a tube connector might be used. But in any tubular design, you’ll need to bear the following factors in mind.

Plan Your Tube Configuration

When considering the number and type of tube connectors you might require, begin by making a plan of your final design, including the number of tubes you have and where exactly you’ll need them to join together. From here, you can work backwards to determine the role of tube connectors in your plans. Tube connectors are incredibly versatile and can join together 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 tubes where required.

Ensuring A Perfect Fit

The connectors simply sit within your hollow tubing but must be the same shape as your tubes to provide a great fit. Typically, tube designs are made from either round or square tubes, so you’ll need your connector to match. If you require a particularly solid structure, as with your school chair, then you’ll likely require a connector with a solid steel core. Fitness equipment including treadmills and weight machines will undoubtedly require this type of connector due to the requirement for them to be robust. But lighter designs such as children’s toys can make do with a plastic moulding that consists of two clip parts.

Considering The Purpose Of Your Connectors

When looking at the configuration of your tubular design, consider the purpose of your connectors and how you’ll need them to be positioned. Some connector designs allow for rotation which is useful if you need your tubes to be able to be manipulated at various angles. Connectors are available that provide rotations of 0-190 degrees, 45-195 degrees, 60-300 degrees and 45-200 degrees, and some can move in small increments for better control.

Aesthetics

Tube connectors aren’t usually meant to be a core aesthetic focus of your design and in many cases you’ll either want to opt for a regular black colour, or match them more closely to the shade of your other tubes. So, with this in mind, you’ll need to choose connectors that come in the same material as your existing tubular components.

If you’ve been wondering how to pull the various components of your tubular design together to create a robust product, then tube connectors are an essential item to have on your shopping list. Remember to take note of the internal diameter of your existing tubes to ensure you select a set of connectors that add the perfect finishing touch to your design.