Steel Pole Engineering

With experience from 1993 and formed as a separate company in 1996, K2 Engineering, Inc. has specialized in the development of a suite of software-based tools and methods targeted to manufacturers of steel poles and allied equiment, helping them to design and manufacture their products: quicker, lighter in weight, more consistantly, with better documentation, to a variety of applicable codes and standards. Our focus is on helping you automate and streamline your engineering and manufacturing operations as much as possible, freeing your engineers to focus on higher level tasks instead of repetive drudgery, ultimately pushing more and higher-valued product out the door. This all flows to the bottom line where it really counts.

Should you have the need, K2 Engineering, Inc. has engineers licensed in the states of: Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Florida.

Not sure where to begin? Suspect that you could be doing things better, faster, and more efficiently, but not sure just what is possible? Well, begin by calling or emailing us. The initial consultation is at no cost or obligation to you. Chances are, we'll be able to suggest some course (or courses) of action that you might want to consider, some possibly involving us and some possibly involving third parties. If so, you'll know right away. If we're not the right solution for you, you'll know that right away as well. However, we may be able to refer you to other organizations within our circle of professional contacts which would be a better fit for your needs. (We are quite accustomed to working with third party engineering and manufacturing companies and/or with your in-house personnel). Either way, just the cost of a phone call and a bit of your time.

Here are some of the pole-specific software tools which K2 Engineering offers:

(Note: Please call if you have other needs not shown here. K2 Engineering provides both off-the-shelf and customized solutions.)

• Bolted Plate Designer - a tool to analyze and/or design flange plates and base plates

Compatible with PLS-Pole Version 8.1 and later. Natively reads PLS-Pole 'postproc' XML files. Does NOT require PLS-Pole to be installed. Supports ASCE 48-05, TIA/EIA 222-G, and AASHTO LTS-5 design codes. Support for user-mandated values,settings, and configurations. Operates in either 'check-only' or 'automatic re-design' mode. Can handle both bolted flange joints and baseplates w/ anchor bolts. Where possible, input is via drop-down boxes and check boxes to minimize typing and input errors. Support for up to 100 load cases, each with: Load Factor, Strength Reduction Factor, and Allowable Stress Increase Factor. Support for specifying loads as a percentage of capacity of adjacent tube. Support for a wide variety of pole geometries, plate and hole shapes, bolt coordinates, etc. Multiple methods for specifying effective lengths of bend lines. Checks all possible bend lines for every load case. For ease of use, optionially 'remembers' user settings and configurations from previous sessions. Data is stored in industry standard, non-proprietary XML format. Voluminous text and graphics output capabilities - all user configurable. Click here for a sample text output, with all options active. (PDF file) Click here for a sample text output, in a simplified format. (PDF file) Click here for a set of screen shots, showing all input screens. (PDF file) Click here for an example of graphics output, showing worst case bend line and worst case bolt load. (PDF file) Click here for an example of graphics output, showing bend lines associated with pole flats. (PDF file) Click here for an example of graphics output, showing bend lines associated with pole points. (PDF file) Note: K2 Engineering can modify the program and it's output to meet your exacting needs.

• PLS-Pole to AutoCAD - a tool to create a to-scale, dimensioned sketch of a pole.

Compatible with PLS-Pole Version 8.1 and later. Natively reads PLS-Pole 'postproc' XML files. Does NOT require PLS-Pole to be installed. Can be configured as a post-processor to PLS-Pole or run as a stand-alone program. Directly creates a to-scale, dimensioned AutoCAD sketch (in .DWG format) of the pole, including appurtenances. Sketch is intended to convey design intent to third parties (end customer, erection contractor, permitting authorities). Sketch showes elevation of both pole and it's appurtenances (arms). Also shows plan view of arms. Does not create any intermediate files and does not use AutoCAD Scripting. Works with any version of full AutoCAD (not AutoCAD LT) from 2006 to 2010. Once properly configured, the program can be used by personnel without need of any AutoCAD experience. Creates several tables of pertinent design information, including geometry and loadings. Labels title block with data read from PLS-Pole and/or supplied from user input. Style and format of drawing border, including company logo, is totally customizable by end user. For ease of use, optionially 'remembers' user settings and configurations from previous sessions. Click here for a better view of the example sketch shown to the left. (PDF file) Note: K2 Engineering can modify the program and it's output to meet your exacting needs.

• PLS-Pole to Microsoft Word Translator - a tool to create a text summary of a pole analysis.

Compatible with PLS-Pole Version 8.1 and later. Natively reads PLS-Pole 'postproc' XML files. Does NOT require PLS-Pole to be installed. Directly creates a Microsoft Word .DOC file using any version of Word from Word 97 to Word 2010. Word must be installed. Can be configured as a post-processor to PLS-Pole or run as a stand-alone program. Intended to convey design intent to third parties (end customer, erection contractor, permitting authorities). Tables include information about both the pole and it's appurtenances (arms), as well as loadings, etc. Formatted to be easy to read and understand and stripped of non-essential information. Optionially can produce PDF files directly, if using Word 2010 and Adobe Acrobat 8.0 or later. Style and format of document, including company logo, is totally customizable by end user. Click here for a better view of the example text summary shown to the left. (PDF file) Note: K2 Engineering can modify the program and it's output to meet your exacting needs.

• PLS-Pole to CNC Part Program - a tool to create a CNC parts, including flat pattern layouts.

Compatible with PLS-Pole Version 8.1 and later. Natively reads PLS-Pole 'postproc' XML files. Does NOT require PLS-Pole to be installed. Can be configured as a post-processor to PLS-Pole or run as a stand-alone program. If not using PLS-Pole, geometry data can be read from a data file, an Excel file, or typed in. Directly creates a CNC part program (M & G codes as per target device). All machine parameters are stored in user-editable database. Optionially, a DXF file can be created for input into a nesting program, such as ProNest. Does NOT require AutoCAD or nesting program to be installed. Screen preview of part is provided, with optional toolpath diagram. Edge bevelling is supported if machine has this capability. Etching of part numbers, bend lines, flat numbers, etc. is supported if machine has this capability. (Etching shown as Cyan color in example to left). 'Stitch outlining' of large holes (such as handholes) is supported (to minimize warping during bending). Output of design data to a non-burn (ignored) layer is supported. (Grey text regions at left) Support for baseplates, traps, flanges, caps and covers, arms, vange, and other miscellaneous parts. Support for 'mathematically unfolding' developed parts, such as trapezoids (traps) for pole tubes. Support for oxy-fuel and plasma burners. Support for some punching and shearing operations. Support for user-configurable lead-ins/lead-outs, piercings, dwells, etc. Click here for a better view of the trap flat pattern layout shown to the left. (PDF file) Click here for the M & G code CNC part file for a top plate. (PDF file) Note: K2 Engineering can modify the program and it's output to meet your exacting needs.






Ready to get started?

Please contact us to let us know of your project requirements.  We look forward to hearing from you.








Home Page  |  Contact Us  |  Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy Notice  |  Problems? Contact K2 Engineering Webmaster  .

©2010 K2 Engineering, Inc.  An Alabama Corporation.  All rights reserved.