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Component manufacturing is a dynamic business. Market conditions, building codes, supply-chain pressures, and labor needs are continuously shifting, requiring constant problem-solving and innovation. In this environment, staying informed and connected is essential. SBCA’s Open Quarterly...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been 70 years in the making since eminent AI pioneer, John McCarthy, coined that term in 1955 to describe “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.” Truss software has been 50 years in the making, with scant penetration of AI...

On a warm November Sunday, after donating blood and platelets in the morning, I sat down to watch the Bucs at the Bills and relax. Just sitting and watching the action, as opposed to having the game on while doing something else, reminded me of the impressive strategies that can go into a...

A great American competitive struggle broke out in truss shops around Miami in 1957. The owners of these shops learned that two new plates had hit the market, and both worked without supplementary nailing. The Sanford Grip-Plate that they were using required hundreds of nails to be hammered into...

I’ve been asked: do you always need a shop drawing or the engineering to inspect a truss? The quick answer if you are conducting an ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3 audit is that you must have a design drawing that specifies plate sizes, placement, and lumber grade requirements in addition to overall...

Inspirado por las frecuentes solicitudes de una referencia rápida, he creado una hoja única de la guía del Capítulo 3 de ANSI/TPI 1, similar a una versión de CliffsNotes del estándar. Tenga en cuenta que se omiten detalles importantes; para una comprensión completa, consulte el estándar...

As the North American truss market continues to evolve, fabricators are asking themselves how do we do more with the time, labor, and space we already have? How can we improve efficiency, reduce manual handling, and position our production lines to take advantage of the next wave of...

As this year rapidly comes to a close, it’s time to prepare for 2026. In addition to our daily tasks, it’s important to step back and view the bigger picture too. My question for you today: Do you have CapEx room for 2026? To answer my own question, I have to say: the best...

As we close the books on 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on a year defined by innovation, adaptability, and forward momentum in the world of off-site construction and component manufacturing. Throughout the past twelve months, our editorial team has explored the trends,...

In modular and off-site construction, productivity gains rarely come from dramatic changes in framing or sheathing techniques. Instead, the biggest improvements often occur at transition points and especially end-of-the-line material handling. Moving completed wall panels safely, efficiently,...