Library

Anna Stamm

Advertiser Forum: Panic Buying or Reasonable Expectation

Anna Stamm

Walking past the stack of 15 bags of top soil that’s been in my garage since spring 2021, I thought of parallels to our current economic uncertainty and urges to “buy now” or wait. If you’re thinking about making purchases as a buffer against tariffs, price increases, and...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 6
Joe Kannapell, PE

Home Building Technology, Part V: Early Truss Connection Innovators

Joe Kannapell, PE

Three midcentury forces converged to form the truss business we know today. First came the deluge of demand for affordable housing after World War II. Then came the prefabbers who addressed that need with trusses. And finally came the connector that made trusses into a blockbuster...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 10
Wendy Boyd

What to Consider Before Purchasing an Automated Linear Saw

Wendy Boyd

I’ve had the privilege of working with frame and truss manufacturers for many years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right equipment can transform a business. If you’re thinking about investing in an automated linear saw, I can honestly say, you can reap many benefits...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 19
Todd Drummond

Being Aware of Lost Productivity

Todd Drummond

Our perception forms what we think is the “true” reality, and our reality is always biased based on preconceived ideas, limited perspectives, and the big one of protecting our ego. So, how willing are you to review your area of responsibility for improvement beyond what you...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 28
Glenn Traylor

Is Plate Substitution the Most Common Error By Confused Truss Builders?

Glenn Traylor

Generally speaking, ANSI/TPI 1 makes common sense and is very logical. However, there are several items that can be a little confusing because they seem to defy logic. When we upgrade lumber per ANSI/TPI 1 Section 3.4.2, we know that lumber strength needs to be maintained in order to meet the...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 39
Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

Component Saws Are Messy Eaters!

Edmond Lim, P.Eng.

When you’ve got five or six 20” to 32” blades chewing through lumber simultaneously at even just 18 pieces a minute, you’re not just making a lot of truss parts—you’re creating a full-blown localized dust storm. So what do you do when you’ve got to...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 44
Ben Hershey

Forging the Future: Workforce Development in Offsite Manufacturing

Ben Hershey

The offsite manufacturing sector stands poised for transformative growth. Innovations in automation, lean manufacturing, and prefabrication are reshaping the way we build. Yet amidst all this change, one critical element demands urgent attention: Our workforce. Across the industry, leaders...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 52
Ed Serrano

Optimizing Every Inch: Why Space Utilization Matters in Frame & Truss Manufacturing

Ed Serrano

Imagine a factory floor where every square foot contributes to efficiency and productivity. That’s the power of lean manufacturing: a philosophy centered on maximizing value and eliminating waste. In the fast-paced world of prefabricated frames and trusses, space optimization isn’t...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 62
Steve Shrader

It’s Not About Layout—It’s About Logic

Steve Shrader

When companies consider adding automation to their plants, often they’ll focus on certain details and think that’s all there is. But true automation is about more than just reorganization, and it can take your company to a new level of production and success. [For all images, See PDF...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 70
Daniel Fothke

Revolutionizing Construction: The Future of Automation in Off-Site Building Practices

Daniel Fothke

The construction industry is on the brink of a significant evolution, propelled by the integration of automation in off-site construction practices. This shift is not merely a trend but a necessary response to the growing demands for efficiency, quality, and sustainability in building...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 78
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