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Bearing: A structural support, usually a beam or wall, which is designed by the building designer to carry the truss reactions to the foundation. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] MiTek’s engineering software uses two common types of bearings, roller and pinned. There is...

The HTTH6.5 heavy tension tie is designed to meet the growing demands of modern construction. This product combines state-of-the-art design with rigorous testing, offering a robust and reliable solution for high-load applications. Its painstaking engineering and precision manufacturing ensure...

One of the strangest twists of fate in the truss business was initiated by Larry Rogers, and fortunately it boosted his career and that of his replacement, Dickie Vail. Out of this occurrence, both men launched successful startup companies. However, there was also a flood and more than one...

Unlike my father who was an Eagle Scout, I never had any professional training in being prepared. I’m a fan of the idea though, and I like to Be Prepared for situations as best as I can anticipate. Crafting Your Plan Simply put, the best way to be prepared is to think about the...

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...

When it comes to investing in machinery and equipment for your frame or truss production, a number of factors are normally part of the decision making – what efficiencies will this product provide, what pain points does it need to alleviate, how will it aid my growth or overall profits,...

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...

We have an annual tradition at the Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC)—the Timber Products Inspection quality assurance challenge! This competition lets truss fabricators test their knowledge of ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3 requirements, and the winner receives a Yeti cooler. How...

Performing an F1 pit stop for each truss is how to Feed the Beast! Truss builders know that assembling each truss on the truss tables is just like what an F1 pit stop crew does. Both F1 pit stop crews and truss assembly crews strive for efficiency, quality, safety, and teamwork, with a shared...

Forget about “Rogue One,” ROGworx Automation has three heads that are better than one! If you haven’t met the guys yet, then you need to come by the ROGworx booth at the Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) in Milwaukee, WI this month. So, who are the R-O-G in...