Cuplock Vs. Ringlock Scaffolding: What's Difference Between?
What is Ringlock Scaffolding?
Ringlock scaffolding can be assembled and disassembled seamlessly. The rose-shaped locking system can quickly and safely connect the columns and beams. The locking pin provides stability and prevents accidental disassembly, ensuring that construction workers have a safe working platform.
The main feature of the ring-lock scaffolding is that there is a disc with eight holes on the vertical pole, and the crossbar is connected to the vertical pole by a latch. This design makes installation and disassembly very simple. The material of the ring-lock scaffolding is usually Q345B or Q355B high-strength steel, and the surface is hot-dip galvanized, which has good rust resistance.
Features:
Node structure: The vertical pole is welded with an eight-hole disc (disc), and the crossbar and diagonal rod are locked with the disc by a wedge-shaped latch to form a self-locking mechanism. The latch is automatically stuck under the action of gravity and is not easy to fall off even if it is not tightened1412.
Diagonal rod design: Special diagonal rod holes are reserved (4 holes out of 8 holes), which can flexibly install vertical or horizontal diagonal braces to enhance three-dimensional stability
What is Cuplock Scaffolding?
Cuplock scaffolding features vertical standards with regularly welded cup connectors, with horizontal beams connected to these cups for strong joints. In contrast, Ringlock scaffolding has vertical standards with multiple rosettes or rings welded at various heights, offering eight adjustable angles.
The node of the cuplock scaffolding is a circular bowl-shaped structure, and the horizontal rod is connected by inserting the bowl buckle. The material of the cuplock scaffolding is mostly Q235 steel, and the surface treatment can be hot-dip galvanizing, electro-galvanizing or spray painting.
Features:
Node structure: The vertical rod is welded with two upper and lower bowl-shaped fasteners (top cup and bottom cup), and the horizontal rod is inserted into the bowl buckle and locked through the top cup mouth. The degree of locking depends on manual adjustment, and there is no self-locking function2513.
Dependence on diagonal bars: There are no dedicated diagonal bar holes, and additional steel pipes and fasteners are required to fix the diagonal braces. The structural stability depends on the accuracy of manual erection.
Difference between cuplock and ringlock
Locking mechanism and connection angle
Cup lock scaffolding uses vertical columns and is equipped with standard welded cup-shaped connectors, and the horizontal beams are connected to the cup-shaped connectors to ensure a secure connection. In contrast, ring lock scaffolding uses vertical columns and is equipped with multiple rosettes or rings welded at different heights, providing eight adjustable angles. The rosette locking system of ring lock scaffolding provides excellent positioning flexibility and height adjustability, making it suitable for complex structures.
Construction efficiency
The disc lock scaffolding is faster to install and saves about 30% of the cost compared to traditional scaffolding. And 13 mentioned that the installation and disassembly speed of the cup lock scaffolding is 2-3 times faster than that of conventional scaffolding.
Application range
The disc lock scaffolding is suitable for high formwork construction and heavy support, such as bridges, tunnels, large factories and other projects. The cup lock scaffolding is more suitable for the construction of multi-story buildings and general support needs.
Load capacity
Both scaffolding systems are strong, but Cuplock is particularly suitable for heavy applications. Ringlock’s multiple rosette positions enhance its load distribution capabilities, allowing it to be adapted to a variety of construction needs.
| Characteristic | Ringlock Scaffolding | Cuplock Scaffolding |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Low alloy steel (Q345B/Q355B), high strength | Carbon steel (Q235), lower strength |
| Surface treatment | Hot-dip galvanizing, strong corrosion resistance, service life of more than 15 years | Spray paint or electro-galvanized, easy to rust and need regular maintenance |
| Single rod bearing capacity | Up to 5 tons | About 3-4 tons (60%-70% of the buckle) |
| Strength | About 200% higher than Cuplock | Relying on manual locking of nodes, easy to loosen |
How do cuplocks different from ringlocks in design?
1. Cuplocks are designed with a central node cup-type connection point that allows the components to be connected and locked into place with a cup-type connection.
2. Cuplocks only offer 4-way angulation at the central connection point, while Ringlocks offer up to 8-way angulation.
3. Cuplocks have no loose parts and are protected against corrosion by hot-dip galvanizing to British Standard 729, with a minimum zinc coating thickness of 85 microns.
Durability and Maintenance
Cuplocks: Made of galvanized or painted steel, require regular maintenance to prevent rust and wear.
Ringlocks: Typically hot-dip galvanized for excellent corrosion resistance and longer life.
Installation speed
Cuplocks: The cuplock needs to be adjusted layer by layer, which is cumbersome to operate and inefficient
Ringlocks: The horizontal bar is locked with one click of the pin, no tools are required; the installation and removal speed is 0.5 times faster than the cuplock type, and the labor cost is reduced by 30%.
Selection suggestions
| Comparison dimensions | Ringlock Scaffolding | Cuplock Scaffolding |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (self-locking and anti-slip) | ⭐⭐⭐ (manual dependence) |
| Carrying capacity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 tons) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3 tons) |
| Construction efficiency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (quick latch) | ⭐⭐⭐ (locking layer by layer) |
| Long-term economy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high investment and low maintenance) | ⭐⭐⭐ (low investment and high maintenance) |
| Applicable projects | Large public buildings, heavy loads, complex shapes | Residential, low-rise, linear structures |
Conclusion
Both cuplock and ringlock scaffolding systems are reliable and widely used in building construction. The best choice depends on the complexity of the project, time constraints, budget, and structural requirements. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which type of scaffolding you need to build. But before you start, you should understand the project requirements and the complexity of the structure. Contacting an experienced professional will further help you decide on the type of scaffolding.
If you are looking for a cup-lock or cup-lock scaffolding, contact Aanta Scaffolding. You can also contact us for high-quality scaffolding accessories. To learn more, you can read this article, How to choose different types of scaffolding systems in construction?
