Connecting strip for T-slot 8 – internal straight connector for Series 30 and 40 profiles

The connecting strip for T-slot 8 is a steel internal connector designed for straight end-to-end joining of two structural aluminium profiles. It allows a stable End-face connection (end face–end face) to be created, enabling a profile to be extended or two sections to be joined in one line.

The connector is compatible with Series 30 and 40 structural aluminium profiles equipped with an 8 mm T-slot. The strip is inserted directly into the slots of both profiles being joined, so installation does not require drilling, milling or tapping the structural components.

After installation, most of the strip remains concealed inside the slot. This provides a neat connection without external plates, angle brackets or other components protruding beyond the profile outline. The solution is particularly suitable for structures where a clean appearance, unrestricted access to the remaining slots and a reduced number of visible mounting components are important.

The strip is made from steel and protected with a zinc-plated coating. The silver-grey finish gives it a technical appearance and complements both profiles with a natural silver finish and profiles anodised in black.

The product is supplied complete with four DIN 914 M6×8 set screws. The screws lock the strip in the slots of both profiles and do not need to be ordered separately.

End-face connection between two aluminium profiles

The T8 internal straight connector allows two coaxially positioned profiles to be joined so that their end faces meet. The strip passes through the slot of the first and second profile, helping to maintain their relative position and a straight construction line.

The connection can be used for:

• extending a structural aluminium profile,
• joining two shorter profile sections into one longer element,
• building long frames and supporting structures,
• expanding an existing profile structure,
• joining workstation modules,
• building guides, supports and structural beams,
• creating an End-face connection (end face–end face) without welding.

Before tightening the screws, bring the end faces of the profiles precisely together and check their relative alignment. The strip is primarily intended to align, position and stabilise the profiles in one line. The set screws themselves should not be used to pull together components that are a considerable distance apart.

Installation without drilling or additional profile machining

One of the most important advantages of the connecting strip is that the connection can be made without additional profile machining. Installation does not require:

• drilling holes in the profiles,
• milling the slots or the profile end face,
• tapping the central holes,
• welding structural components,
• using external connecting plates.

Insert the strip into the T8 slot of the first profile, leaving part of it protruding beyond the end face. Then slide the second profile onto the remaining part of the connector, bring both components precisely together and align them in one line.

After checking the position of the profiles, tighten the four DIN 914 M6×8 set screws using a standard hex key. The screws lock the strip in the slots and help keep both profiles in the selected position.

Key features of the T8 connecting strip

• Type: connecting strip / internal straight connector / longitudinal connector
• Purpose: end-to-end joining of two aluminium profiles in one line
• Connection type: End-face connection (end face–end face)
• Compatible profile series: Series 30 and Series 40
• Compatible slot width: 8 mm
• Slot type: T-slot
• Material: steel
• Colour: silver-grey
• Finish: zinc-plated
• Installation method: inside the slots of both profiles
• Profile machining: not required
• Fastening components: 4 DIN 914 M6×8 set screws
• Mounting hardware included: yes
• Installation tool: standard hex key
• Visibility after installation: the strip remains largely concealed in the slot
• Disassembly: the connection can be unscrewed and reused
• Application: frames, supporting structures, workstations, machine guards and modular structures
• Benefits: quick installation, no profile machining and a neat connection without external components

Set contents

The complete product includes the strip and the components required to lock it in the profile slots:

• 1× connecting strip for T-slot 8
• 4× DIN 914-M6x8

The DIN 914 M6×8 screws have an M6 thread and are designed to lock the strip in the slot by pressure. When correctly tightened, they hold the connector in the selected position relative to both profiles.

Aluminium profiles and other structural components are not included unless ordered separately.

T8 connecting strip installation instructions

1. Prepare the profiles: check that both profiles have a compatible 8 mm T-slot and belong to Series 30 or 40.

2. Check the profile end faces: make sure that the sections have been cut square and that larger burrs have been removed from their edges.

3. Loosen the set screws: before inserting the strip, check that the ends of the DIN 914 M6×8 screws do not protrude in a way that obstructs installation.

4. Insert the strip into the first profile: place part of the connector in the selected T8 slot, leaving a suitable portion beyond the profile end face.

5. Fit the second profile: slide the slot of the second profile onto the protruding part of the strip.

6. Bring the profile end faces together: align both components in one line and bring their end surfaces precisely together.

7. Check the alignment: verify the straightness, level and relative position of the profiles.

8. Tighten the screws: tighten the four DIN 914 M6×8 screws gradually, distributing the clamping force across both sides of the connection.

9. Check stability: make sure that the strip does not move in the slot and that the profile end faces remain correctly pressed together.

Tighten the screws evenly and with care. Overtightening may place unnecessary stress on the slot surface or alter the alignment of the joined profiles.

Connecting strip for Series 30 aluminium profiles

In Series 30 aluminium profiles with an 8 mm T-slot, the strip can be used to extend beams, uprights, guides and other components of modular structures.

The connector is installed directly in the selected profile slot. As a result, no additional holes are required, and it can be used both when building a new structure and when subsequently expanding an existing frame.

More than one strip can be used in profiles with several available slots. Positioning connectors in two or more slots helps improve connection alignment and limit relative twisting of the profiles.

Connecting strip for Series 40 aluminium profiles

The strip is also compatible with Series 40 structural aluminium profiles with an 8 mm T-slot. It can be used for end-face joining of profiles in machine frames, assembly tables, technical supporting structures, guards and Sim Racing structures.

For wide Series 40 profiles, such as profiles with several parallel slots, multiple connecting strips can be installed in one connection. This distributes the load over more points and increases the stability of the complete joint.

The number of strips should be selected according to the profile cross-section, available slots, length of the joined components and load on the completed structure.

Connection stability and number of strips used

The T8 connecting strip is intended primarily for aligning and stably positioning two profiles in one line. The set screws lock the connector in the slots, but they do not replace components designed to carry very high structural loads.

For structures exposed to higher loads, vibration, twisting or frequent changes in the direction of forces, it is recommended to:

• use more than one strip in a single connection,
• position the connectors in several available profile slots,
• use an additional connecting plate or angle bracket,
• check the straightness of the profiles before fully tightening,
• periodically check the tightness of the set screws,
• match the number of connectors to the expected structural load.

The final stiffness of the connection depends on the type and cross-section of the profiles, the number of strips used, the arrangement of the slots, the length of the joined components and the support method of the complete structure.

Applications of the T8 internal straight connector

The connecting strip for aluminium profiles can be used wherever two Series 30 or 40 profiles need to be joined end-to-end in one line.

Typical applications include:

• frames for machines and industrial equipment,
• workstations and assembly tables,
• long beams and profile guides,
• technical supporting structures and support frames,
• machine guards and protective partitions,
• racks and warehouse structures,
• production lines and automation systems,
• frames for panels, monitors and technical equipment,
• Sim Racing cockpits and frames,
• workshop structures and DIY projects,
• expanding existing aluminium-profile frames,
• custom structures made from Series 30 and 40 profiles.

The connecting strip for T-slot 8 with four DIN 914 M6×8 screws is a practical solution for creating straight End-face connections between Series 30 and 40 aluminium profiles. Installation without additional machining, concealment of the connector inside the slot and the option of using several strips make it possible to build neat, modular structures that can be modified easily at a later stage.