Abstract: An apparatus for connecting collar components to an elongate member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame structure having a central opening that is configured to receive an elongate member and that includes at least a first gripping station and a second gripping station. Each gripping station includes a reference surface and a clamp device that is configured to force a collar component against the reference surface. The first and second gripping stations are configured to control relative spatial location of a first collar component held by the first gripping station relative to a second collar component gripped by the second gripping station, prior to connecting the first and second collar components to the elongate member.

Abstract: A full-moment column collar is disclosed, including four collar flange components and four collar corner components. Each collar flange component includes an upper transverse element and a lower transverse element, connected by a bridging member. Each collar corner component includes first and second expanses defining a corner and a standoff portion extending from the corner, the standoff portion having a distal T-shaped structure. Each collar corner component is configured to connect two adjacent collar flange components, and each collar corner component has a multi-axis alignment structure extending from a bottom end portion for vertically positioning a lower transverse element of a respective collar flange component.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting one or more pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first tower, a second tower, and each tower includes four vertical columns, and a first set of horizontal beams. Each beam is configured to span and connect two of the vertical columns via biaxial moment connecting collars. The towers are aligned to support a first pipe on beams from both towers along a primary pipe support axis, and none of the columns in the first tower is connected to a column of the second tower by a biaxial moment connecting collar.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting collar components to an elongate member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame structure having a central opening that is configured to receive an elongate member and that includes at least a first gripping station and a second gripping station. Each gripping station includes a reference surface and a clamp device that is configured to force a collar component against the reference surface. The first and second gripping stations are configured to control relative spatial location of a first collar component held by the first gripping station relative to a second collar component gripped by the second gripping station, prior to connecting the first and second collar components to the elongate member.

Abstract: A beam-end component welding fixture including a stand having a central horizontal axle mechanism and a housing. A handle is mounted on a first end portion of the axle mechanism and a rotatable plate structure is mounted on a second end portion of the axle mechanism. A column connecting simulator is attached to the plate structure and configured to support a beam-end component.

Abstract: A collar flange assembly welding fixture is disclosed, including a stand, a circular mount structure, and a support assembly which are configured to provide access to a front side and a back side of a collar flange assembly held by the support assembly. The stand has a plurality of circumferential bearings equidistant from an axis of rotation, the circular mount structure is rotatably supported by the circumferential bearings, and the support assembly is configured for mounting on the circular mount structure.

Abstract: A collar flange assembly clamping tool is disclosed, including an axle having a long axis, and a pair of arms mounted on the axle. At least one of the arms is slideable along the long axis. Each arm includes a primary axis perpendicular to the long axis of the axle, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion with a tab. The proximal end portion includes a clamping device that moves in a direction perpendicular to the primary axis of the arm and the long axis of the axle.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of managing construction of a steel building frame is disclosed, including defining a part database including beams, columns, and components of a full moment collar assembly, storing historical pricing data for the parts in the part database, and creating a station layout for a steel fabrication facility and receiving digital. The method further includes receiving digital models of a plurality of buildings, each including a steel frame having beams and columns connected by full moment collar assemblies, and parsing the received digital models to generate a list of parts in the plurality of buildings a defined in the part database. The method further includes generating routes and stages for the beams, the columns, and the components of the full moment collar assemblies through the stations of the steel fabrication facility, and modifying the digital model of at least one of the plurality of buildings to improve efficiency of the generated routes and stages.

Abstract: A full-moment column collar is disclosed, including four collar flange components and four collar corner components. Each collar flange component includes an upper transverse element and a lower transverse element, connected by a bridging member. Each collar corner component includes first and second expanses defining a corner and a standoff portion extending from the corner, the standoff portion having a distal T-shaped structure. Each collar corner component is configured to connect two adjacent collar flange components, and each collar corner component has a multi-axis alignment structure extending from a bottom end portion for vertically positioning a lower transverse element of a respective collar flange component.

Abstract: A full-moment column collar is disclosed, including four collar flange components and four collar corner components. Each collar flange component includes an upper transverse element and a lower transverse element, connected by a bridging member. Each collar corner component includes first and second expanses defining a corner and a standoff portion extending from the corner, the standoff portion having a distal T-shaped structure. Each collar corner component is configured to connect two adjacent collar flange components, and each collar corner component has a multi-axis alignment structure extending from a bottom end portion for vertically positioning a lower transverse element of a respective collar flange component.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting collar components to an elongate member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame structure having a central opening that is configured to receive an elongate member and that includes at least a first gripping station and a second gripping station. Each gripping station includes a reference surface and a clamp device that is configured to force a collar component against the reference surface. The first and second gripping stations are configured to control relative spatial location of a first collar component held by the first gripping station relative to a second collar component gripped by the second gripping station, prior to connecting the first and second collar components to the elongate member.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting one or more pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first tower, a second tower, and each tower includes four vertical columns, and a first set of horizontal beams. Each beam is configured to span and connect two of the vertical columns via biaxial moment connecting collars. The towers are aligned to support a first pipe on beams from both towers along a primary pipe support axis, and none of the columns in the first tower is connected to a column of the second tower by a biaxial moment connecting collar.

Abstract: A lifting tool assembly is disclosed, including a crossbar having a long axis spanning between first and second end portions. A first hook member is pivotably suspended from the first end portion and a second hook member is pivotably suspended from the second end portion. The end portions are symmetrically angled relative to the long axis and each hook member includes first and second finger structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting collar components to an elongate member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame structure having a central opening that is configured to receive an elongate member and that includes at least a first gripping station and a second gripping station. Each gripping station includes a reference surface and a clamp device that is configured to force a collar component against the reference surface. The first and second gripping stations are configured to control relative spatial location of a first collar component held by the first gripping station relative to a second collar component gripped by the second gripping station, prior to connecting the first and second collar components to the elongate member.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus is disclosed, including a rigid housing having a slot with an engagement axis, and a shaft extending parallel to the engagement axis. The apparatus further includes a tab member on a distal end of the shaft and a rotational actuator on a proximal end of the shaft. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the shaft, causing the tab member to move between a hooked position and an unhooked position.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus is disclosed, including a rigid housing having a slot with an engagement axis, and a shaft extending parallel to the engagement axis. The apparatus further includes a tab member on a distal end of the shaft and a rotational actuator on a proximal end of the shaft. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the shaft, causing the tab member to move between a hooked position and an unhooked position.

Abstract: A lifting tool assembly is disclosed, including a crossbar having a long axis spanning between first and second end portions. A first hook member is pivotably suspended from the first end portion and a second hook member is pivotably suspended from the second end portion. The end portions are symmetrically angled relative to the long axis and each hook member includes first and second finger structures.

Abstract: A collar flange assembly welding fixture is disclosed, including a stand, a circular mount structure, and a support assembly which are configured to provide access to a front side and a back side of a collar flange assembly held by the support assembly. The stand has a plurality of circumferential bearings equidistant from an axis of rotation, the circular mount structure is rotatably supported by the circumferential bearings, and the support assembly is configured for mounting on the circular mount structure.

Abstract: A collar flange assembly clamping tool is disclosed, including an axle having a long axis, and a pair of arms mounted on the axle. At least one of the arms is slideable along the long axis. Each arm includes a primary axis perpendicular to the long axis of the axle, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion with a tab. The proximal end portion includes a clamping device that moves in a direction perpendicular to the primary axis of the arm and the long axis of the axle.

Abstract: A beam-end component welding fixture is disclosed, including a stand having a central horizontal axle mechanism and a housing. A handle is mounted on a first end portion of the axle mechanism and a rotatable plate structure is mounted on a second end portion of the axle mechanism. A column connecting simulator is attached to the plate structure and configured to support a beam-end component.