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
Geordie Secord

Design Connections: What You Learn on the Floor

Geordie Secord

My introduction to the world of wood trusses didn’t begin in the air-conditioned comfort of an office. Instead, I started out building trusses, spending my days walking in circles around a C-clamp press. I had taken the job as a summer student, hoping to make money for university. In...

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May 2025
Issue #17310
Page 126
Joe Kannapell, PE

Home Building Technology, Part IV: The $6,000 Question

Joe Kannapell, PE

Unions opposed it, builders dismissed it, but the American homebuyer would embrace prefabricated housing as soon as they could afford it. Despite fierce opposition, the government made it a reality by allowing FHA financing on prefabricated homes with loans of $6,000 or less. In announcing this...

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April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 10
Todd Drummond

Proper Time Management is Essential for Proactive Management Best Practices

Todd Drummond

When it comes to the daily tasks of any executive, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to implement everything that needs to be done. From sales to troubleshooting, there are constant interruptions in your day that keep you from accomplishing those goals you tell yourself need...

#17309 Cover image
April 2025
Issue #17309
Page 28
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