Truss systems are traditionally thought of, and referred
to, as structural. That is, the conventional wisdom is their primary use
is as a kind of stud/joist/beam system. After all, they are built of strong
materials -- generally steel or aluminum -- and they have some load-bearing
ability.
More can be less in a good way with creative applications of truss systems for
everything from those traditional supports for walls, floors and ceilings and
elevated or hanging signs to less traditional implementations as furniture, kiosks,
components racks and just about anything a designer can imagine.
Yet, even in unusual applications, truss systems offer two important benefits:
strength and light weight.
Truss systems have been likened to Erector Sets, the children's set of modular
metal components that can be used to create working toys. They have also been
likened to metal two-by-fours. That might be a stretch because few people seem
to equate the two. And it's probably a good thing they don't because it's pretty
limiting to think of truss as something just structural.
The Erector Set comparison may be more apt nowadays since both the toy and truss
start out as parts requiring some thought and creativity to do anything worthwhile
with.
Photo
Courtesy Versatruss
Perth, ON, Canada
But, in an age when structural safety is as important as a bright new
look, the similarity between the real world and toys stops. Trade show
exhibitors clamor for attention among taller, bigger, brighter, more imposing
exhibits requiring a structure that can hold bigger, brighter, more imposing
signs higher than the competition -- or as high as show management will
allow. Yet, at the same time, they're pressed to keep their costs low,
including transportation to and from the show site -- and it's got to
look good, not like a collection of metal studs and beams.
Gordon O'Connor, an account executive with Versatruss, Perth, ON, Canada,
notes that his company's new generation of truss uses an insert for
connection between
elements, replacing bulkier plates and module boxes. That helps overcome the
stereotypical industrial or structural look of truss. "When you look at
[the Versatruss system element connections] there's nothing to see ... It's
a very clean look."
But there's also a dollar benefit in a simplified connection. It uses
a pin clip that can be installed with no tools. No tools generally means
not having to hire outside labor for erection in a trade show.
Yet, the connections allow for long horizontal runs
as long as they're not carrying much load so even a fairly
large scale exhibit -- the kind so much in demand today
-- can be installed with the exhibit house's own personnel.
Truss system innovations
add to the less-is-more picture. Aluminum, which weighs
about a third less than steel, saves shipping costs. Aluminum
can also offer the advantage of not having to be painted.
The finish can stand on its own, said O'Connor.
The real advantage of a contemporary structural truss system is in its modularity.
In the best
systems, making a 10' x 10'
display into a 20' x 20' exhibit should involve only
attaching simple connectors at a joint or termination
point, coordinated elements to create spans, uprights
and, well, you get the idea. It is that Erector
Set idea.
To a point. In some systems certain components are designated for certain functions,
such as leg trusses. They are not, O'Connor said, like a freestyle Lego kit.
But they also offer much more flexibility than a Lego kit -- or an Erector Set.
It needs to be emphasized that standard parts and standard configurations don't
mean one size will fit all exhibitors.
And the array of components available in any system can be disconcerting to the
uninitiated.
Corporate exhibitors see components as a pile of
poles with odd connectors thrown in, all waiting for
a labor crew to sort through everything and take a
lot of time on the clock before it can even get started
installing the exhibit.Of course, that's not the case.
It just looks complicated.
O'Connor said that, while it may seem counterintuitive,
smaller diameter truss elements are actually more difficult
and time-consuming to deal with during installation
than larger diameter components.
"You'll hear it at shows," he said. Booths that sit side-by-side will
have an installation time differential of two to three times. "It's the
smaller, daintier [structural truss] elements that are the problem. Smaller [stock]
has smaller tubes, smaller webs. It's easier to twist it a couple of degrees
out [of sync]," and that means connectors won't go in right or don't line
up with their targets.
Heavier stock may look bulkier, but is easier to deal with because the tolerances
are greater, he said.
But smaller stock may also have greater flexibility. For example, because they
are modular, truss systems can be easily enlarged -- and the weight of the
stock isn't too much of a consideration when jumping up one size, for example.
But heavier, larger diameter stock doesn't necessarily translate downwards
so well.
Those smaller, daintier elements might be the only reasonable solution in a
smaller exhibit or in some of the innovative uses to which truss is being applied,
such as kiosks, furniture and POP displays.
Those are the kinds of choices exhibit builders have
to make when considering structural truss systems.
The choices are often balancing acts among budget (not
only initial purchase costs, but installation and dismantle
labor, and weight for shipping), the uses the materials
will be put to in an exhibit environment, the flexibility
and utility of the materials, and the effect the client
wants.
And that's why EXHIBIT BUILDER publishes the following chart on structural
truss systems every year. It helps delineate the systems available, their components
and their appropriate uses. eb
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Exhibit Builder 2008 Media Fact Folder