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The term "soft support" for aluminum formwork does not mean the support itself is made of soft materials, but rather refers to a flexible aluminum formwork reinforcement device that can adapt to non-standard sizes. It primarily solves the pain point in traditional aluminum formwork construction where wooden wedges have to be used for non-standard dimensions, leading to poor accuracy and significant waste.

Based on existing technologies and products, here is a detailed introduction:

1. Core Definition & Principle

It is a retractable, adjustable reinforcement connection device. The core typically consists of a telescoping structure (e.g., an inner tube sliding within an outer sleeve). Length is locked by inserting bolts or pins through aligned holes at specific positions, allowing stepless adjustment to fill gaps that standard aluminum formwork panels cannot cover.

2. Main Structural Components

Based on relevant patents (e.g., CN111364763B), a typical soft support device includes the following parts:

· Telescoping Body: Composed of a first square tube and a second square tube that fit together. Length is locked by bolts passing through pre-drilled holes in the overlapping section.

· Support Ends: Rotatable support plates at both ends that can closely contact the formwork or wall to ensure even force distribution.

· Auxiliary Support Legs: Foldable support struts located on the sides of the main body. When deployed, they brace against the floor or wall to increase stability and prevent long rods from bending under load.

· Fine Adjustment Mechanism: Typically includes a threaded sleeve at the end, allowing minor length adjustments during installation to ensure a tight fit.

3. Main Advantages

Compared to traditional wooden backing strips or custom-made fixed-length steel tie rods, soft support offers the following benefits:

· Strong Adaptability: Can be adjusted on-site for hundreds of different non-standard dimensions without cutting or special ordering.

· High Turnover Rate: While wooden strips degrade after a few uses, aluminum soft support devices can be reused hundreds of times without damaging the aluminum formwork.

· High Construction Efficiency: Adjustment and locking are quick actions, enabling tool-free operation for high efficiency.

· Environmentally Friendly: Significantly reduces wood consumption and construction waste, conforming to green construction standards.

4. Main Product Types & Applications

Beyond the connection/reinforcement devices described above, more integrated support systems are also available on the market:

· Aluminum Shoring Systems: Independent telescopic support props. For example, the GASS system consists of outer legs, inner legs, etc., with spring pins for height adjustment. Used with aluminum beams, they offer high load capacity and fast assembly/disassembly.

· High-Capacity, Quick-Strip Supports: Such as the Aludeck system. It requires only about 0.3 support points per square meter (low density) and allows particularly fast stripping, making it ideal for slab formwork.

5. Key Design Considerations

· Locking Mechanism: Must have a reliable anti-loosening design (e.g., double nuts, spring pins) to prevent loosening due to concrete pouring vibration.

· Stiffness Matching: Although called "soft" connection, the body stiffness must be sufficient to prevent bending deformation during pouring.