Before You Invest in Automation Todd Drummond Elon Musk’s five rules for improving a process end with automation. That order deserves attention from every executive considering new equipment or software. When labor is difficult to find, costs are rising, and customer commitments are harder to meet, technology can look like the obvious... Read More November 2026 Issue #18328
From Chaos to Cut Lists: How Truss Manufacturers are Using AI to Optimize Plant Operations Simpson Strong-Tie Staff Need to improve your truss plant production? AI may be the answer for you. Using information and knowledge you already have, you can work with AI to streamline your production workflow with a few basic prompts. One of the best things about using AI is that no prior training is required.... Read More November 2026 Issue #18328
Resilience, Innovation and Connection at BCMC Cullen Ellis It was great to attend another BCMC this year in Columbus, reconnect with so many incredible people from across the country and around the world, and see the projects and innovations that continue to drive our industry forward. For nearly two decades, I have attended this show in a variety of... Read More October 2026 Issue #18327 Page 29
The Robots are Coming! Edmond Lim, P.Eng. If you visited our BCMC booth in Columbus this year, then you got a close-up look at NEXBOT, an optional autonomous mobile robot (AMR) upgrade for NEXPLATE. Enventek has joined the growing list of suppliers bringing robotics to component plants, continuing our tradition of delivering practical,... Read More October 2026 Issue #18327 Page 48
Bringing More to the Table at BCMC 2026 Eide Machinery Sales Team Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit us at BCMC 2026! It was another great show, and we enjoyed the opportunity to connect with component manufacturers and showcase equipment and automation solutions designed to improve cutting, jigging, and truss production. [For all photos, See... Read More October 2026 Issue #18327 Page 66
Bauhaus Philosophy Garry Roehr In 1919, Walter Gropius founded an art and design school in Germany that merged fine arts with craftsmanship and mass production. He established a cross-disciplinary approach and a philosophy that form follows function which has shaped modern architecture, furniture, and graphic design. An... Read More October 2026 Issue #18327 Page 109
Truss Production, Reimagined Wendy Boyd Truss production has changed dramatically over the past few decades. What once relied heavily on manual jig systems, operator experience, and physically demanding processes has steadily evolved into a more connected, automated, and data-driven environment. Today, elements such as software,... Read More September 2026 Issue #18326 Page 29
Let’s Talk JAX at BCMC Kathryn Pedde Are you ready to see JAX-XL retrieve materials for a lumberyard the way JAX retrieves lumber for a truss plant? In our BCMC booth, you’ll be able to track the movement of lumber and sheet goods from bunks to staging areas live on a monitor via 3D digital twin technology, all without manual... Read More September 2026 Issue #18326 Page 88
Affordable Options for a Resilient Supply Chain Garry Roehr Those of us who have spent decades in our industry know it is one characterized by seasonal and cyclical fluctuations. Living through multiple downturns and periods of growth forces us to refine our thought processes and shapes our character. When times are tough, we need to question previous... Read More September 2026 Issue #18326 Page 99
Boosting Small Component Production Efficiency Alpine Team Delivering insight, accuracy, and increased throughput for small but crucial assemblies. As offsite construction advances in efficiency, data visibility, and precision, component manufacturers (CMs) are reassessing each production stage’s impact on throughput. And small truss and hip... Read More September 2026 Issue #18326 Page 108