ModTruss offers unique products and accessories that allow MROs to create custom maintenance stands, tail docks, engine stands, antenna maintenance platforms and more. However, the Fond du Lac, WI. -based company started its work in the aviation industry an entire decade after the company launched, which started by building broadcast structures for sports television networks like Fox Sports.
Think of your erector set as a child, but on a grand scale for utilization in industries like aerospace, entertainment, industrial, construction, and government entities. The company is ever green in nature because customers can re-use all ModTruss products again and again by simply deconstructing and rebuilding, utilizing the same components to achieve different results. No on-site cutting, welding or other fabrication is needed; simply add or remove individual pieces at will.
“ModTruss crossed over into the aviation industry in 2016, building access platforms around aircraft for Embraer Airlines and since then, has built structures for Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, American Airlines and more,” said Stephen Weltin, CFO of ModTruss.
The principals of building a platform structure for the entertainment industry and the aviation industry are essentially the same. The core of the line is the truss component — ModTruss.
ModTruss is a pre-engineered aluminum or steel truss product that is stocked in one-foot increments up to 10 feet in length. ModTruss comes in a 12-inch by 12-inch profile or a 6-inch by 6-inch profile and has a bolt hole every 3 inches on all 6 sides for connectivity. “These multiple connection points allow the truss and its accompanying components to be connected and configured every three inches — allowing one to really build whatever they want,” Weltin noted. Accompanying components include stair treads, handrail, decking, casters, rigging and more.
The ModTruss line utilizes a series of bolted connections and has connectivity every three inches. Unlike a welded structure, a ModTruss structure can be unbolted and reconfigured. “This allows clients to make rapid design changes in the field such as moving a column around an unforeseen grate in the floor,” Weltin explained.
The product line is a series of “off the shelf” components. Customers can design and build their desired structure in a matter of days to weeks vs. months to a year. “This allows the design process to move quicker, as a designer has the assurance that a future change can be achieved without a major setback.,” Weltin noted.
ModTruss also offers free CAD software to utilize, so customers are able to explore the full breadth of all ModTruss has to offer and construct any structure at one’s will.
“Looking long term, as aircraft designs change over the years, a client can reconfigure their access platform to accommodate to the new requirements vs. retiring a welded stand to the boneyard,” Weltin explained. This provides protection for a long-term investment.
ModTruss is a pre-engineered product line with pre-established load capacity tables. This allows for easy quick design and rapid load calculation. “The truss has a very high load capacity, which can produce very robust and safe structures,” Weltin said. The high load capacity of the ModTruss line and the strong bolted connections result in robust, sturdy structures. In addition, the high load capacities allow for long, unsupported spans without cross members, as seen with traditional scaffolding. “This results in a wide-open space underneath the platform,” Weltin said. “Our client’s term this ‘recovered space’.” The space underneath a platform has often been unusable for customers and now they can use this recovered space for storage, offices, etc.
“A ModTruss structure easily integrates with all forms of fall protection on the market,” Weltin noted. “A favorite available safety feature of our clients is what we call ModTruss ‘Aerosliders’.” An Aeroslider is a deck that can retract in, or slide out, so the leading edge of a platform can follow the contour of the aircraft and butt right up to the aircraft, closing the gap between platform and aircraft. “Unlike some other similar products on the market, the ModTruss Aeroslider is operated away from the leading edge of platform for added safety,” Weltin said.
Other features include the ability for height adjustment via jacking or hydraulic columns rolling options and, of course, integration of electrical and air components. The primary aviation sector that uses the ModTruss line are MROs and manufacturing.
ModTruss’ products come with load table capacities verified by independent third-party professional engineers that can also stamp the overall design. ModTruss staffs an on-site design engineer team that can guide anyone along the way to ensure 100% satisfaction and delivery of expectations.
Building with ModTruss is very simple and can be achieved through their virtual warehouse online. “As we often say, the choices are as boundless as your imagination. A client can tailor the platform to meet whatever their needs may be,” Weltin said. ModTruss is a U.S. business built on imagination and innovation through continuous improvement.
