Gridbeam
Grid beam is a simple modular construction technique. Gridbeams (in wood, steel and aluminium) are available for purchase from stores, and can be made yourself using standard industry components (lumber or metal pipes cut to the sizes described on this page).
Versions
Grid beam is a system of beams in which the width of each beam is equal to the hole spacing. The holes are always placed in the middle of the beam width, and the hole spacing refers to the space between the holes in the other direction. In the imperial system, beam width can be 1 inch, 1,5 inch and 2 inch. Hole spacing is similar (1 inch, 1,5 inch and 2 inch). In the metric system, beam width can be set to 25 mm (which is almost identical to 1 inch as 1 inch = 25,4 mm), 40 mm (almost identical to 1,5 inch as this is 38 mm), and 50 mm (almost identical as 2 inch is 50,8 mm). Hole spacing follows accordingly. Lengths of the beams are standardised too (in the imperial version, this is done per foot and per half foot, in the metric system it can be done per meter, half a meter and per 1/4 meter).
Designs
PV mounts
A simple PV panel stand (for 65" x 39" and 75" x 39" PV panels) that can rotate along the horizontal plane (single-axis) can be made using gridbeam.
When using imperial gridbeam, it can be made 24 inch (=2 foot) high, 42 inch (=3,5 foot) long and 78 inch (=6,5 foot) wide. The panel can then be rotated by a stepper motor by putting it on a plywood supported by an axle. The axle needs to be at least 78 inch long (75" for the panel + 1,5" + 1,5" for the beams + space to mount the electric motor). By making it this way, the whole has a limited height, which reduces the possibility of damage by wind.
OSE designs
LifeTrac
- main article: LifeTrac
The basic frame of the LifeTrac is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing, in an arrangement very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.