METALOQ from Vector Minima Inc is a disruptive solution for modular builders and cold formed steel providers to enter this highest growth industry.

1. VECTORMINIMA
Your Source for
Efficient
Modular Construction Technology
Copyright VectorMeta 2020

2. Hybrid Kit Frames for Modular Builders
Patent Pending
METALOQ

3. • LSF / CSF Definitions and Context
• Introduction to the METALOQ System
• The Kit of Parts
• Component Production Methods
• The IP Roadmap
• The R&D model
“Tell them what you will be telling them…”
VECTORMINIMA

4. Light Steel Framing = LSF = “sheet metal studs” = almost
always roll formed from Galvanized Steel
Cold Formed Steel = CFS = sections rolled or brake
formed from Hot Rolled Mild Steel (HRMS) HRPO (Hot
Rolled Pickled and Oiled) or Galvanized Steel
Hybrid = A mix of both
LSF / CFS / Hybrid
VECTORMINIMA

5. The completion of 461
Dean by FCModular,
followed by the increasing
NA presence of EU players,
has stimulated rapid
evolution in the North
American steel-framed
volumetric modular
industry.
VECTORMINIMA

6. VECTORMINIMA
LSF is a low-
cost option
for volumetric
frame
production
FRAMECAD

7. VECTORMINIMA
The availability of
automated LSF
rolling machines
made by Howick,
FrameCAD and
others has
dramatically
increased the use
of panelized LSF
components
worldwide

8. LSF is a well-
established
technology for the
production of
panelized
components for
buildings of any
height
VECTORMINIMA

9. VECTORMINIMA
LSF is also the
material of
choice for infill
applications in
buildings of all
types

10. VECTORMINIMA
LSF is
increasingly
used for most
of the vertical
structure of
buildings up to
10 stories

11. VECTORMINIMA
LSF is widely
used for the
frames of small
volumetric
modular
structures such
as bathroom
pods
Module 200

12. VECTORMINIMA
LSF is also
used to
produce full-
sized load-
bearing,
volumetric
module
frames
AYREFRAME

13. VECTORMINIMA
Due to the low edge and connection strength of
LSF structures, large volumetric frames that
must be handled complete with drywall and
finishes are often supported with HRMS or HSS
base frames
Modular
Building
Systems
Hoisting point on
base frame

14. How are LSF members
typically joined?
LFS panels and module
frames are assembled
using a variety of
methods:
• Screws or rivets
• Crimping or clinching
• Spot welding
• Welding (usually MIG)
VECTORMINIMA

15. Dimpling and spot
welding join light
sections with high fixity
VECTORMINIMA

16. VECTORMINIMA
Because of the
large moments and
loads on
volumetric module
frames, a
mechanically-
fastened LSF
structural frame
requires a large
number of point-
loaded fasteners

17. VECTORMINIMA
Because point-
loaded fasteners
are inherently
weak, LSF
structural frames
are often welded.
The standard most
widely referenced is
AWS B2.1-1-011:2002-
AMD1(R2013)

18. VECTORMINIMA
In practice, the
welding of
galvanized steel
sections generates
toxic zinc oxide
fumes, damages
the corrosion
protection, and
beads are seldom
consistent

19. Module frames built with LSF have many advantages:
• Least steel used per square foot of built space
• Almost zero scrap, if studs and channels are made in a
continuous process from coil stock
• Accurate details are easily added by automated
equipment with material in flat or formed condition
• Drywall and cementitious floor panels are easily fastened
to LSF joists and infill studs with SDST screws
VECTORMINIMA

20. …and some disadvantages:
• Bearing capacity of stud assemblies is limited
• Bearing columns require multiple nested sections or structural
steel members
• Connections between joist and rim beams is flexible
• Bottom edges of LSF floor assemblies are weak
• Lack of compression-resistant members and connections suited
to load collection limits use of brace cores
• Overall stiffness and point-load strength challenging for hoisting
• Welding (if used) is often poorly done
VECTORMINIMA

21. VECTORMINIMA has developed a low-cost, robust
hybrid structural frame
built with a mix of CFS and LSF
The new frame design is intended to capture a
significant portion of the multi-billion dollar
global market for steel volumetric module frames
VECTORMINIMA

22. We call our
hybrid
structural
modular
frame
system:
METALOQ
Patent Pending VECTORMINIMA

23. METALOQ hybrid
frames consist of
CFS sections with
pre-welded connections
joined to LSF via
proprietary bolted
connections,
providing ease of
fabrication,
speed of assembly,
high fixity and
material efficiency VECTORMINIMA
Cold Formed Steel
Light Steel Framing

24. METALOQ frames ship as
kits that can be assembled
in a few hours on a flat
floor by a small crew with
hand-held power tools.
The set-up cost for
METALOQ Kit Frame users
is negligible.
VECTORMINIMA

25. VECTORMINIMALet’s take a closer look…

26. VECTORMINIMATypical array

27. Separate hallways
and room modules VECTORMINIMA

28. VECTORMINIMA
Precision alignment
features

29. VECTORMINIMA
Precision alignment
features

30. VECTORMINIMA
Precision alignment
features double as
primary vertical
tension connectors…

31. ….and perform
triple duty as
hoisting
connectors!
VECTORMINIMA

32. VECTORMINIMA
Inside access to connection
is provided by access covers
located in the floor / ceiling
joist spaces
Connection access
covers

33. VECTORMINIMA
High-
capacity
horizontal
connection
High-strength steel
interconnector
Machined pocket

34. VECTORMINIMA
Typical mid-
span module
interconnector
MEP bypass zone

35. VECTORMINIMA
Typical outer
wall module
interconnector

36. VECTORMINIMA
NB: Assembled
layers of
modules have
flat tops,
facilitating in-
process rain
proofing and
roofing of the
top floor

37. VECTORMINIMA
High vertical and
horizontal fixity
with high
precision in a
tight connection
zone
Tapered sides of
interconnector provide
clamping action to
column caps

38. VECTORMINIMA
Flush-top
interconnector
allows contact
along edges of rim
beams, creating
load-bearing walls
that add to
bearing capacity,
diaphragm action
and seismic
capacity.
Can be further
augmented by
bolting

39. VECTORMINIMA
Outer wall
moment
frame

40. Floor system VECTORMINIMA

41. VECTORMINIMA
LSF joists are
efficient and easy to
produce, but typical
LSF connections are
not adequate to
brace rim joists and
exterior load
bearing walls
against movement

42. VECTORMINIMA
METALOQ
Proprietary joist
connection clamp
delivers moment
capacity while
bracing the rim
joists, eliminating
weak connections
and / or the need
for welding to
galvanized steel

43. VECTORMINIMA
Typical structural rim
joists brake formed
from ¼” material with
LASER-cut features

44. Lets dig in….. VECTORMINIMA
METALOQ LSF
joists with
stamped
“Dimple” or
“Bead” formed
in web engages
a high-fixity
clamp on rim
joist

45. Lets dig in….. VECTORMINIMA
Fixed clamps
welded to rim
joist
Positive clamping action
provided by flange bolt and nut
engages dimple on joist web
Weld is
made to
projecting
tab

46. VECTORMINIMA
Roll-formed
joists
incorporating
customized, in-
line punched
and flanged
openings
facilitate the
circulation of
MEP

47. VECTORMINIMA
“Tolerance Notch”
ensures fit of
structural rim
beams on shear
tab connections

48. VECTORMINIMA
How do we do hallways?

49. VECTORMINIMA
LSF / CSF hallway
assemblies
connect parallel
module arrays
over the length
of the hallway
rim beams
through the
high-fixity
clamped joist
connections

50. VECTORMINIMA
Primary hallway
support bracket
is an extension
of the horizontal
inter-connection
component
Secondary
hallway
connections are
made with tabs
on the end rim
beam

51. Lets dig in….. VECTORMINIMATypical hallway ceilings

52. “The Kit of Parts” VECTORMINIMA

53. VECTORMINIMA
Fixture-fabricated column assemblies
provide accurate location of frame
members and control FF to FF height

54. Lets dig in….. VECTORMINIMA
Typical 4 x 4
column end
details
Water-jet cut
and machined
component

55. VECTORMINIMA
Typical 4 x 12
column end
details

56. VECTORMINIMA
4” x 6” and 4” x 8”
columns are all part of
the same family of
details

57. VECTORMINIMA
Connection
component
family
Tapered sides
provide clamping
action during
building assembly

58. VECTORMINIMA
Options for
offline
fabricated
subassemblies
and SKU
reduction

59. VECTORMINIMAEG: One-piece portal frame

60. VECTORMINIMAEG 1: Portal frame subassembly
16 + shear tabs
and miscellaneous
parts can be
eliminated

61. How high can
you go with a
METALOQ frame?
A standard
METALOQ frame
with no long
member thicker than
¼” (!) delivers a lot
of blue at 10 stories!
VECTORMINIMA

62. What is a
METALOQ
frame made
from?
The raw
material input
to the supply
chain is mostly
steel in coil
form
VECTORMINIMA

63. Hot rolled
steel coil is
one of the
least
expensive
sources of
steel
VECTORMINIMA

64. VECTORMINIMA
Galvanized steel
coil is also widely
traded and readily
available
HRMS coil
$580-$590 / ton
Galvanized coil
$600 - $650 / ton
Long product
$700-$750 / ton

65. How do you make the “Kit of Parts”?
1. Rim joists and columns: Blanking, LASER
detailing, brake-forming, fixture-controlled
welding
2. Column caps: LASER or waterjet cutting, CNC
machining
3. Joists: Rolling with integrated or secondary detail
stamping, bolt-on dimpling station
VECTORMINIMA

66. Roll-forming machines with
built-in detailing and cut-
to-length stations are
commonly used for the
high-volume production of
Light Steel Framing

67. The LSF rolling
process is fast
and leaves the
galvanizing
largely
undamaged
VECTORMINIMA
14 nested joists,
enough for the floor
of a 350 sq ft module

68. Sure-Span is a typical roll-formed floor
joist with flanged web openings VECTORMINIMA

69. VECTORMINIMA
Prior to brake-forming rim joists and columns, details
are cut in to blanks with long-bed LASERS

70. Heavy press
brakes are
used for
forming long
members
from steel
blanks over
1/8” thick
VECTORMINIMA

71. VECTORMINIMA
Tandem
and
Tridem
press brakes
are a lower-
cost option
for forming
long
channels

72. VECTORMINIMA
Robotic welding cells and fixtures are used to join
components to create subassemblies
RENTAPEN

73. Summary of METALOQ Key Features
• Easy to make, easy to assemble
• No new or expensive technology required for component
production or module assembly
• Top picked structural modules with high stiffness, point load
capacity and edge strength
• Dual-purpose precision locating features
• CFS structure delivers diaphragm action, braced bays
• LSF delivers light weight (350 sq ft frame weighs ~ 4200 lbs)
• Meets UL and CSA standards similar to UL H501
VECTORMINIMA

74. Roadmap Technologies
VECTORMINIMA has a robust roadmap of cost-
saving IP in development that will continuously
expand applications of the METALOQ system,
reduce costs and keep system users at the
leading edge of the modular industry
VECTORMINIMA

75. VECTORMINIMA
Cast column caps (when we have it right
and we are ready to lock in)

76. Load bearing walls for
taller stacking in brace-
core applications VECTORMINIMA

77. VECTORMINIMA
Multiple continuous
vertical load paths
horizontally braced by
tension-capable floor
joist connection

78. VECTORMINIMA
Bolted connections and
full structural continuity
through rim joists

79. VECTORMINIMA
Installing shim packs
converts METALOQ
structures to point-
loaded mode for
spanning
applications
(lobbies, cafeterias,
common areas etc.)

80. VECTORMINIMA
MEP interface
components
eliminate
labour
required for
site
connection of
water, sewer,
power and
data

81. VECTORMINIMA
Lower face of
MEP connection
bay

82. VECTORMINIMA
Upper face of
MEP connection
bay

83. VECTORMINIMA
4000N / 900 lb powered actuators connect and
release modules from the hoisting means and
lock modules to the completed structure faster
and at a lower cost than rigging crews working at
heights
Semi-
autonomous
building
assembly
Patent Pending

84. VECTORMINIMA
Live-at-set MEP provides
power to set modules for
all critical buildings
system, including fire
alarms, actuators and
position sensors that
relay locking pin status to
the crane operator
through a wireless link
Access cover allows visual
status verification

85. Easy-to-make, easy-to-assemble Kit Frames
=
Access to the market for steel-framed modular
construction that is a mile wide and an inch deep
Semi-Autonomous Building Assembly
=
The Crane Operator Assembles the Building

86. Design Subassemblies Module
Assembly
Transport &
Crane work
Onsite
installation
86
Value Chain

87. Drilling down: New frame impacts whole
87
Design Subassemblies Module
Assembly
Transport &
Crane work
Onsite
installation
Model for
architectural
design.
Design tuned for
manufacturing.
Object design,
automatic BOM
Simple steel
frame design.
CFS and HRS,
parts to spec.
Knocked down
easy transport.
Inventory raw
metal.
No welding
No complicated jigs
and tooling, build on
flat floor. Greatly
reduced CAPEX.
Greater safety. Less
labour. Lower cost
labour.
Rigid design leads to
top lifting.
Automated halo.
Simple connection,
much less labour.
Flush design, no
vertical space lost.
Greatly reduced
labour force onsite.
Automatic
interconnect of
modules; no welding.
Greater safety.
Value Chain

88. VectorMinima
- IP, Patents
- Knowhow
- Consulting
Value
Value
Value
Value
Expectations
➢ Builders are not
competitors
➢ Open sharing
amalgamates best
ideas
➢ VMIN reserves right to
select clients
➢ Steel fabricators also
license IP and make
kits
Mod
Builder
#1
Mod
Builder
#N
Mod
Builder
#3
Mod
Builder
#2
Value Chain

89. Modular
Builder
#1
Higher buildings, lower costs, faster supply chains, more
modular components, continual improvement etc
2020 2021 2022 2023
Auto-
actuator
module
connection
Improvements
on first gen
Semi-
Autonomous
HoistingDesign
model
Online
configuration
Core following
construction
Auto
electricity
and
water/waste
Multiple
vertical load
paths for taller
buildings
Your variable
cost R&D
Department,
keeping you
in leadership
position
IP Roadmap

90. 90
Advanced frame design leads to an increasingly total modular approach
Traditional
construction
processes %
Modular
construction
processes %
Roadmap adoption
Costtobuild
Roadmap Impacts

91. Modular Builder: What are you buying?An outsourced R&D and IP provider to Modular Builders. By becoming a client
you can license the IP we have and continually create, improve and innovate,
meaning you get access to the latest technology for modular construction.
● In addition VMIN is facilitating a steel fabrication value chain; the steel
parts will be available for you from multiple suppliers from a partnership
with the fabricator.
● VMIN will provide services to assist you in adopting the roadmap.
● VMIN will in certain circumstances provide services assisting you in a
building project.
91
Business Model

92. 92
Engagement Fee_________
● First tranche of IP focused on Frame design
● VMIN facilitates steel fabricators from which you will buy parts, from partnership of VMIN and fabricator.
Includes relationship establishment (one in place already), equipment specifications, purchasing process.
● Adoption consulting fees US$ / hour + Expenses
Additional Tranches of IP Expected in 2020; Pricing per tranche TBD.
● Price / value; much lower cost than if you did the work yourself
● Design model for architecture engagement
● Specification of modular factory and labour force training. Expect first modules off lines in mid 2020.
● Example of future IP: Semi-Autonomous Building Assembly
Modular Builder: How are you buying?
Deliverables

93. Want to become a
fabricator or end user?
Email: julian@vectorminima.com
Phone: 416 575 1630
Location / ime Zone: Toronto, GMT-5 (EST)