For the first time, a modern machine used in many other industries has proven itself in a truss plant. In other industries where it works in hundreds of plants, the JAX gantry transports tires, crates, and cases of Jack Daniels whiskey. In a truss plant, JAX moves 1 to 13 sticks of lumber from bunk to saw. Like a roof gantry, JAX runs atop parallel rails, retrieves sticks, and deposits them onto one of several saw conveyors. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
Benefits of the JAX Gantry
What we like best about JAX is how adaptable it is. You can configure it to fit multiple plant layouts and use nearly any linear or component saw.
Furthermore, no change to existing processes is needed when you install JAX. You’ll be able to create saw batches just the way you do today, and when you send them to your saws, you also bring them into JAX and initiate picking. Then, you can see the entire picking process on monitors in your shop office, on the shop floor, and at each saw. Your picker knows when to restock bunks, and your sawyer knows what’s coming next to his saw.
Most importantly, no change to your saws is required. JAX was also designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing saw infeed decks without modifications.
JAX doesn’t care how many saws you have: two, three, four, or even five! Multiple layouts are possible, as shown by these images. In one plant, the system spans 300’ and includes 43 bunks, four safety zones, and two gantries. In another plant, the system spans only 100’, with two conveyors to two saws.
Plus, because it can feed up to five saws, JAX is able to grow with you as your business grows. It will scale with your needs, when you need it.
Deceptively Simple JAX-UC Software
JAX-UC (Universal Compiler) software reads saw files from multiple vendors’ software and compiles them into a single, highly recognizable format, so that they can be displayed side by side. That means JAX works with most saw files, including TCT, MiTek, Alpine, and Monet. Those saw batches will come right into the JAX interface and appear in the unassigned column. Usually, they are selected in the order received and assigned to be picked by the JAX gantry in the same sequence. Then, the batches appear on the Production Manager’s display and the batches automatically progress through the picking process.
The Production Manager shows what batches are next to be picked and displays the picking sequence. Note how the very clear and condensed format of the name of each SKU assures rapid identification and is further aided by color-coding in the system.
Many truss plants have switched to cutting truss-by-truss, which multiplies the number of picks required to feed the saws. This puts a heavy burden on the pickers who must really hustle to keep up with the saws. And since the pickers normally have to work outside in the elements, their position is difficult to fill and plagued by frequent turnover.
With JAX, only full bundles are handled, eliminating 200+ picks by hand on every bundle of 2x4s. With JAX, no one picks individual pieces. With JAX, saws run at maximum efficiency because they are fully stocked. And JAX doesn’t pick the wrong grade of lumber in the heat of summer. The result is dramatic labor savings, less turnover, and more consistent and accurate saw output.
When you have questions, please reach out to me or Richard at 980-404-0209 to learn more about JAX, The Wood Retriever.