Rectangular bearing bar
A regular grid using rectangular bearing bars; confirm section size, spacing, span and load from the project requirement.
Engineered Around Your Load & Span
Swage-Locked Grating
Swage-locked grating is mechanically assembled by locking cross bars through the bearing bars. It is commonly specified for lightweight aluminum access systems where panel weight, corrosion behavior and a stable grid matter.
- Mechanically locked construction without resistance-welded intersections
- Commonly specified with aluminum bearing-bar systems
- Rectangular panels, banding, cut-outs and project layouts
Lightweight Mechanically locked Aluminum systems Replacement panels
Confirm the locking series, not just the opening pattern
Swage-locked grating is formed by inserting cross bars through pre-punched bearing bars and mechanically deforming the cross bars at each intersection. The deformed locking points stabilize the grid without resistance-welding every intersection.
Series names and bar profiles vary by specification. Similar-looking panels are not automatically interchangeable, especially when replacing an existing access panel.
We confirm the bearing bar profile, cross-bar arrangement, spacing, alloy, span, load and support condition before preparing a panel layout or quotation.
A useful identification photo shows both the top grid and the panel edge: the bearing-bar profile, cross-bar shape and deformed locking points can be difficult to distinguish from a distant top view. For replacement work, these details matter more than a visual match of the opening size alone.
Locking Sequence
How a swage-locked joint is formed
The construction is defined by the way each cross bar is inserted and mechanically deformed through the bearing bars. Confirm the sequence for the selected profile and spacing series.
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Prepare the bearing bars
Bearing-bar profile, pre-punched hole pattern and spacing are prepared to the confirmed series or approved drawing.
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Insert the cross bars
Cross bars pass through the aligned bearing-bar openings so the grid and bearing direction match the panel layout.
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Swage the locking points
Mechanical deformation locks the cross bars at the intersections before banding, cut-outs and other drawing-led fabrication are completed.
Workshop Evidence
Custom Fabrication and Production Views
These photographs show non-standard openings, long-format panels and fabricated batches in the workshop. They demonstrate layout and fabrication possibilities; the exact swage-locked series, remaining bar arrangement and load case are confirmed separately for each drawing.
Specifications
Specification Options
| RFQ input | What to send | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum alloy, temper and required finish from the project specification. | Material condition must be confirmed with the profile, forming route, exposure and finish. |
| Bearing bar profile | Rectangular or I-bar profile, including a section photo for replacement work. | Similar top openings can hide incompatible bearing-bar and locking systems. |
| Bearing bar size | Depth and thickness, or the required load together with the clear span. | The section and span are primary load-selection inputs. |
| Bearing bar spacing | Centre-to-centre spacing or the named project series. | Spacing changes the opening, open area, weight and load distribution. |
| Cross bar | Cross-bar shape, dimensions, spacing and a close photo of the locking point. | These details identify the swage-lock system and replacement compatibility. |
| Walking surface | Plain or serrated surface and any opening-size restriction. | Surface and opening requirements affect grip, passage and available profiles. |
| Span and supports | Clear span, bearing-bar direction, support width and fixing locations. | Panel length alone does not identify the unsupported design span. |
| Load and deflection | Uniform, concentrated or wheel load plus the required deflection limit. | Pedestrian and equipment loads must be checked as separate design cases. |
| Panel layout | Panel dimensions, bearing direction, piece marks, removable areas and support lines. | A layout drawing prevents incorrect panel divisions and bearing direction. |
| Fabrication and order | Banding, cut-outs, quantity, destination, project standard and required documents. | These inputs define the practical fabrication, packing and quotation route. |
Variants
Recommended Types
I-bar construction
A lightweight profile used only where the selected system and load case permit it.
Plain walking surface
A smooth-top bearing-bar option for projects where the surface, opening and environment do not require serrations.
Serrated bearing-bar profile
A toothed surface considered where additional slip resistance is required; profile availability is confirmed with the selected series.
Applications
Where Swage-Locked Grating Is Used
These are typical application categories, not installation records for the panels pictured on this page. Confirm the alloy, surface, support layout, clear span and load case before selecting a series.
Typical use category
Walkway & Catwalk Grating
Safe, drained, ventilated walkways for photovoltaic arrays, pipe racks, tank farms and roof access routes.
View applicationTypical use category
Industrial Platform Grating
Open-grid flooring for chemical plants, equipment platforms and mezzanines — strength, drainage and ventilation in one panel.
View applicationFabrication & QC
Fabrication & Quality Notes
- Replacement panels need a measured sketch, close photographs and the existing series if known.
- Final production requires confirmed dimensions, bearing direction, supports, material and finish.
- Project-specific cut-outs, banding and long panel divisions should be approved on the panel drawing before production.
- Record the bearing-bar end profile, top width and cross-bar shape; two grids with similar openings can use incompatible locking systems.
- Do not substitute a welded or pressure-locked panel only because its top view looks similar. The series, support detail, load case and deflection requirement must be reviewed before substitution.
Packaging
Packaging & Delivery
- Interleave visible aluminum faces and protect panel corners so abrasion does not mark the mill or anodized finish in transit.
- Support long bundles at several points and position straps over protective blocks so the tie-down force does not crush light bearing-bar profiles.
- Keep aluminum panels away from loose carbon-steel scale and grinding debris that could contaminate the surface during storage or shipment.
- Place replacement-panel marks, orientation references and packing-list numbers outside the wrapping for direct comparison with the site schedule.
FAQ
Swage-Locked Grating FAQs
Is swage-locked grating always aluminum?
It is commonly specified as an aluminum construction, but the material and exact bar system must come from the project specification. One series should not be substituted for another without review.
What controls its load capacity?
Bearing bar profile, depth, thickness and spacing work with clear span, support condition and load type. The construction name alone does not establish capacity.
Can you make replacement panels from an existing sample?
A sample, measured sketch and photographs help identify the arrangement, but final production still requires confirmed dimensions, bearing direction, supports, material and finish.
Which details identify an existing swage-locked series?
Provide the bearing-bar end profile and dimensions, cross-bar shape, spacing in both directions, panel thickness, alloy if known and photographs of the top, edge and locking points. A measured opening alone is not enough to confirm interchangeability.
Can swage-locked panels include cut-outs, banding and removable sections?
These features can be reviewed from a panel layout, but the edge treatment and remaining bar arrangement must suit the selected profile and support condition. Mark every cut-out, support edge, lifting point and removable area on the drawing.
How should the aluminum alloy and temper be specified?
State the governing project specification, exposure, finish and load case. The alloy and temper are then confirmed with the bar profile and construction series; the word aluminum alone is not a complete material specification.
How are minimum order quantity and lead time set for swage-locked panels?
Profile availability, tooling or series, panel variety, total quantity, finish and drawing approval all affect the order minimum and schedule. We confirm both after the specification review. One number cannot cover every swage-locked project.
Send Your Drawings, Get a Confirmed Specification
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