Wall Panel Technology, Part IX: More Panel Automation From American Suppliers Joe Kannapell Handling studs and plates to build walls is easy, but handling oversized sheets of OSB and sheathed wall panels is not. Fortunately, two inventors in the Midwest have lightened the load. Automated Sheathing Saw: Since he began his career at Monet DeSauw 30 years ago, David Ohnesorge has been... Read More December 2024 Issue #16305 Page 10
Following the Flow with JAX-UC Richard Pedde The flow of lumber through the plant is the lifeblood of a component manufacturing business, so taking steps to protect and improve that flow is essential for keeping your business healthy. This is an objective we took to heart when creating our JAX system. With JAX, The Wood Retriever, a... Read More December 2024 Issue #16305 Page 90
Wall Panel Technology, Part VIII: Panel Automation From American Suppliers Joe Kannapell Plate markers, single tool bridges, and automated saws were just a few of the enhancements that filtered into wall panel shops at the Millennium. Their adoption was quickened by the consolidation of component manufacturers (CMs) and by the increasing pressure on all CMs by busy builders.... Read More November 2024 Issue #16304 Page 10
Triad Brings AI, and More, to BCMC 2024 TRIAD / Merrick Machine Company Team For seven consecutive decades, Triad wall panel and component nailing machines have led the industry in meeting the demands and needs of builders in the United States, Canada, and around the world. Today, Triad continues to meet the ever-growing needs of today’s builders by providing... Read More November 2024 Issue #16304 Page 64
Wall Panel Technology, Part VII: A Deeper Dive into Automation Joe Kannapell Toll Brothers imported an automated panel line commensurate with their luxurious homes, or so they expected. Perhaps because the European economy was ailing in the early 1990s, Randek from Sweden, like the Makron company from Finland before them, offered Toll an excellent deal. But Randek was an... Read More October 2024 Issue #16303 Page 10
Automation Worth Considering for the Building Industry Todd Drummond Automation within the building industry has been ongoing for decades but at a slower pace than other industries. So, what do we mean by automation? Let’s focus on two types: automation for building estimation and automation for roof truss manufacturing. Both will be discussed at the... Read More October 2024 Issue #16303 Page 26
Revolutionizing Frame and Truss Manufacturing: The Power of Real-Time Optimization Ed Serrano In today’s fast-paced frame and truss manufacturing environments, efficiency and waste reduction are paramount. Traditional production methods often fall short in meeting the demands of modern businesses, paving the way for Real-Time Optimization (RTO) and Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery to... Read More October 2024 Issue #16303 Page 58
Wall Panel Technology, Part VI: Panel Equipment Innovations Joe Kannapell As automation and robotics are increasingly embraced, it makes sense to review examples of successful implementations from the pioneers of past systems. Interestingly, the first successful fully automated component assembly in the U.S. involved wall panels rather than trusses. However, in many... Read More September 2024 Issue #16302 Page 10
Why Are So Many Companies Unknowingly Losing Millions? Todd Drummond Millions of dollars are being lost by many companies that don’t recognize they have a problem — Does your LBM company have more than $50 million combined sales? Quantified as a ratio of sales, according to Six Sigma case studies, the cost of poor quality, defined as waste,... Read More September 2024 Issue #16302 Page 26
MiTek to Showcase Innovative Solutions at BCMC | FS 2024 MiTek Staff As a global pioneer in the building components industry, we’re looking forward to presenting our integrated solutions suite at the upcoming Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) | Framer’s Summit 2024. Our booth at the event will feature best-in-class software, automated... Read More September 2024 Issue #16302 Page 52