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MasterClip® VLB

Easily connect exterior cold-formed steel curtain wall studs to the slab, bypassing the primary structure. The MasterClip VLB’s dual-purpose design allows it to be installed as a rigid connection to resist vertical & horizontal loads or a vertical deflection connection.

Its patented Integrated Break-Away Step Bushings provide friction-free motion for a smooth vertical deflection (slide) connection providing up to 2” deflection (1” up & 1” down). Simplify ordering process & inventory with a single clip for rigid & deflection applications.

Features
  • Load-rated positive mechanical attachment at each stud
  • Patented Integrated Break-Away Step Bushings provide friction-free motion for smooth vertical deflection
  • Eliminates loose friction-held assemblies, heavy deep-leg track, & the top row of wall bridging/strapping
  • Load-rated #12 screws provided for vertical deflection connection to stud web
  • Manufactured with certified, 68mil, 50ksi cold-formed steel
Order Information
Qty/Box
VLB600
50
VLB800
50
Lbs/Box
VLB600
38
VLB800
38
Qty/Skid
VLB600
4,500
VLB800
4,500
Lbs/Skid
VLB600
3,420
VLB800
3,420

Nomenclature:
MasterClip VLB is designated by type (VLB), followed by stud depth in inches multiplied by 100.

Example: 6″ stud
Designate: MasterClip® VLB600

Material Composition
ASTM A1003/A1003M Structural Grade 50 (340) Type H, ST50H (ST340H): 50ksi (340MPa) minimum yield strength, 65ksi (450MPa) minimum tensile strength, 68mil minimum thickness (14 gauge, 0.0713” design thickness) with ASTM A653/A653M G90 (Z275) hot dipped galvanized coating.
Catalogs
TSN’s Product Catalogs are an essential resource for the design of cold formed steel. Developed by Engineers, the catalogs contain design data for members, connectors, and fasteners. MasterClip® VLB can be found in the following Catalogs:

TSN Cold-Formed Steel Framing Connections Order Catalog

TSN Connections Technical Catalog

 TSN Cold-Formed Steel Framing Connections Technical Catalog

TSN Connections Order Catalog

For a full list of our product catalogs, specification sections, inspection checklists, and research reports please click here.

Blast & Seismic Design
The Steel Network is the only connector manufacturer in the US that has rated its connector products for special seismic and blast design by providing tables with LRFD design strength, nominal strength and ultimate strength for each connector.
MasterClip VLB Back Perspective
MasterClip VLB Perspective
MasterClip VLB Ortho Front
Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Vertical Deflection Connection
Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Rigid Connection

US Patents #8,181,419, #8,683,770, & #10,132,341

MasterClip® VLB Downloads

MasterClip® VLB Applications

The unique design of MasterClip allows it to be installed either as a vertical deflection connection or a rigid connection.  The attachment of MasterClip to the primary structure may be made with PAFs, screw/bolt anchors or welds and is dependent upon the base material (steel, concrete or CMU) and the design configuration.

Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Vertical Deflection Connection

Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Vertical Deflection Connection

Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Rigid Connection

Curtain Wall Slab Bypass as a Rigid Connection

MasterClip® VLB Installation Instructions

  1. Place the MasterClip VLB slide angle against structural pour stop.
  2. Attach VLB to the structure with required fasteners, as designed:
        • For a Vertical Deflection Connection: Fasten VLB to the stud with provided screws through Integrated Break-Away Step Bushings.
        • For a Rigid Connection: Fasten VLB to the stud with required screws through pre-drilled guide holes.

MasterClip® VLB Allowable Loads:

Load Table Notes:

  • MasterClip VLB resists in plane of wall (F1), horizontal (F2), and vertical (F3) loads when used as a rigid connector.
  • MasterClip VLB resists in plane of wall (F1) and horizontal (F2) loads when used as a deflection connector.
  • Allowable loads have not been increased for wind, seismic, or other factors.
  • Design loads consider loads on the clip and #12 screw fasteners to the stud web.
  • Three #12 screws are provided with each connector (based on number of integrated breakaway step bushings). Load requirements don’t always require the use of all screws provided.
  • Three slots are standard in 6″ and higher web depths to accommodate construction tolerances. Use of a 3rd screw and bushing is dependent upon load requirements.
  • Total vertical deflection up to 2″ (1″ up and 1″ down).
  • Guide holes in the 1-1/2″ leg measure 0.141″ in diameter.
  • Fasten within 3/4″ of the angle heel (centerline of the 1-1/2″ leg) to minimize eccentric load transfer.
  • Fasteners attaching clips to structure should be installed symmetrically around the center line of the clip. The allowable load of the clip may be reduced if fasteners are not installed symmetrically.
  • Allowable load tables incorporate eccentric loading of fasteners. Values with a welded connection may increase.
  • Torsional effects are considered on the screw group for F3 allowable loads. It is assumed that half of the torsional moment is taken by the connection to the structure and half is taken by the screw connection to the stud.
  • Loads listed reflect force in a single direction. When multiple loads react on the connection, it is the responsibility of the designer to check the interaction of forces.
  • For LRFD strengths contact TSN technical services.
Load Directions

Load Directions

Rigid Connection: F1, F2, & F3 Load Directions

33mil (20ga), 33ksi Stud
33mil (20ga), 50ksi Stud
43mil (18ga), 33ksi Stud
43mil (18ga), 50ksi Stud
54mil (16ga), 33ksi Stud
54mil (16ga), 50ksi Stud
68mil (14ga), 50ksi Stud
97mil (12ga), 50ksi Stud
Maximum Allowable Clip Load
F1 - Rigid Connection
VLB600
2 screws
95
138
124
179
156
225
284
405
536
F1 - Rigid Connection
VLB600
3 or 4 screws
190
276
248
358
312
450
536
536
536
F1 - Rigid Connection
VLB800
2 screws
95
138
124
179
156
182
182
182
182
F1 - Rigid Connection
VLB800
3 or 4 screws
182
182
182
182
182
182
182
182
182
F2 - Rigid Connection
VLB600/VLB800
2 screws
376
544
560
810
788
1,138
1,434
1,434
1,811
F2 - Rigid Connection
VLB600/VLB800
3 screws
444
642
661
956
930
1,343
1,692
1,692
1,811
F2 - Rigid Connection
VLB600/VLB800
4 screws
752
1,088
1,120
1,620
1,576
1,811
1,811
1,811
1,811
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB600
2 screws
250
362
372
539
524
757
954
954
1,792
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB600
3 screws
363
525
540
782
760
1,098
1,384
1,384
1,792
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB600
4 screws
502
726
748
1,081
1,052
1,519
1,792
1,792
1,792
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB800
2 screws
184
267
274
397
386
558
703
703
1,269
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB800
3 screws
310
449
462
668
650
939
1,183
1,183
1,269
F3 - Rigid Connection
VLB800
4 screws
440
636
655
948
922
1,269
1,269
1,269
1,269

Vertical Deflection: F1 & F2 Load Directions

33mil (20ga), 33ksi Stud
33mil (20ga), 50ksi Stud
43mil (18ga), 33ksi Stud
43mil (18ga), 50ksi Stud
54mil (16ga), 33ksi Stud
54mil (16ga), 50ksi Stud
68mil (14ga), 50ksi Stud
97mil (12ga), 50ksi Stud
Maximum Allowable Clip Load
F1 - Deflection Connection
VLB600
2 screws
95
138
124
179
156
225
259
259
259
F1 - Deflection Connection
VLB600
3 screws
95
138
124
179
156
225
259
259
259
F1 - Deflection Connection
VLB800
2 screws
95
107
107
107
107
107
107
107
107
F1 - Deflection Connection
VLB800
3 screws
95
107
107
107
107
107
107
107
107
F2 - Deflection Connection
VLB600/VLB800
2 screws
376
544
560
810
788
1,138
1,434
1,434
1,567
F2 - Deflection Connection
VLB600/VLB800
3 screws
564
816
840
1,215
1,182
1,567
1,567
1,567
1,567

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