# Slotted angle

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thumb|Slotted angle assembly
'''Slotted angle''' (also sometimes referred to as '''slotted angle iron''') is a system of reusable metal strips used to construct [shelving](/source/Shelf_(storage)), frames, work benches, equipment stands and other structures. The name derives, first, from the use of elongated slots punched into the metal at uniform intervals to enable assembly of structures fixed with nuts and bolts, and second, from the longitudinal folding of the metal strips to form a right angle.

==Invention==
Prototype slotted angle strips were developed by [London](/source/London)-based [engineer](/source/engineer) [Demetrius Comino](/source/Demetrius_Comino) in the late 1930s,<ref name="Darbyshire">{{cite book|last1=Darbyshire |first1=Anthony |last2=Duckworth |first2=Eric |year=2011 |title=Demetrius Comino: A life and legacy of achievement |publisher=Comino Foundation |url=https://cominofoundation.org.uk/pdf/Demetrius_Comino_a_life_and_legacy_of_achievement.pdf}}</ref> as he sought alternatives to conventional wooden shelving in his printing works. Comino owned an engineering business, [Dexion](/source/Dexion) Ltd, which began production in 1947 and the steel slotted angle strips eventually became known as Dexion.

The prior existence of [Meccano](/source/Meccano) prevented a generic patent<ref name="NewSci">{{cite journal| journal=New Scientist |title=Profile: Demetrius Comino "The secret is: think about first principles"| publisher=Reed Business Information | issn=0262-4079 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kCKMy7sWEbwC&pg=PA20 | date= 25 July 1952| pages=20–21}}</ref> so Dexion patents were restricted to particular slot and hole configurations,<ref>e.g.: {{cite patent |title=Rigid Angle Joint |status=patent |number=2746780 |fdate=27 November 1951 |gdate= 22 May 1956 |country=US}}</ref> and, seeking to emulate Dexion's success, other UK and European companies began offering different sizes, hole patterns and metal strip thicknesses.

==Production==
[Steel](/source/Steel) remains the most commonly used slotted angle material, although [aluminium](/source/aluminium) alternatives are also available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aluminum Angle Iron Making Process  |url=http://angleiron.org/aluminum-angle-iron-making-process/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301091421/http://angleiron.org/aluminum-angle-iron-making-process/ |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |website=angleiron.org}}</ref> The product is generally manufactured from [sheet metal](/source/sheet_metal) using [machine press](/source/machine_press)es to form the angle and to punch holes through the metal. The strips are normally produced in a variety of standard lengths, and steel versions are often painted or [galvanized](/source/Galvanization) to protect them from rust.

==Construction==
To construct items from slotted angle, items can be cut to size (some versions are marked to show the optimum points at which to cut the metal) using special slotted angle cutters or [shear](/source/Shear_(sheet_metal))s, and then fixed with nuts and bolts. Tension plates and other metal strips are also available to add strength to the finished structure.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

Category:Warehouses
Category:Building materials
Category:Metalworking

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Slotted angle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slotted_angle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slotted_angle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.