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... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 19
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... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 44
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... Read More May 2025 Issue #17310 Page 62
Constructing a Safer Tomorrow: The Safety Advantages of Off-Site Framing Jesse Southard In the construction industry, safety is a paramount concern no matter what task is being completed. For years, traditional on-site framing and assembly have exposed workers to significant risks, including falls, heavy lifting injuries, and adverse weather conditions. As construction elements... Read More April 2025 Issue #17309 Page 78
How Important is Training in Your Operation? Glenn Traylor What do you think of when you hear the word “training”? A classroom with students listening to a teacher? A truss plant with a new hire following behind a seasoned truss builder? Or, maybe your first thought was sitting in front of a computer for an online course? The truth is that... Read More March 2025 Issue #17308 Page 39
Gear Up for Winter Work Just Like Winter Sports! Edmond Lim, P.Eng. This winter season has been marked by severe weather conditions, including bitterly persistent cold and heavy snowfall. Thankfully, we’ve continued to install outdoor Lumber PickLines, which is a testament to the robustness and operational effectiveness of Enventek’s forklift... Read More March 2025 Issue #17308
What the Latest ANSI/TPI-1 Updates Mean for Truss Designs Jay Jones, P.E. The ANSI/TPI 1 standard is a critical document that governs the design and quality criteria for metal plate-connected wood trusses. It serves as a guideline for truss manufacturers and engineers alike, providing the technical framework to design and construct reliable and code-compliant trusses... Read More March 2025 Issue #17308 Page 116
Existing Deck Inspection—A Must for Springtime Celebrations Frank Woeste and Joseph Loferski A common denominator for deck collapses is a special family event, such as a graduation, wedding, birthday party, or family reunion. A properly designed and constructed 14-ft x 24-ft residential deck floor, designed for a 40 psf uniform live load, should safely support 84 occupants based on an... Read More March 2025 Issue #17308 Page 124
What Should a Truss Builder Do About Wane in the Plated Area? Glenn Traylor First, wane occurs often when lumber is manufactured and cut close to the outside of the timber, resulting in missing material or a bark area. This is done to increase the yield of the timber, which increases lumber manufacturer profits but creates some issues for lumber users. Prime grades... Read More December 2024 Issue #16305 Page 35
Hem-Fir (North) Allowable Design Value Changes MiTek Staff The National Lumber Grading Authority (NLGA) is the grading agency having authority over establishing lumber design values for Hem-Fir (North) lumber and conducting on-going testing to verify the design values. The NLGA follows inspection and grading rules approved by the American Lumber... Read More December 2024 Issue #16305 Page 112