Do You Use Sub-Components to Aid in the Assembly of Components? Glenn Traylor Managing a truss with multiple pieces can affect productivity. For example, maintaining compliance with ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3 requirements for nearly thirty pieces can be challenging. To improve cycle time while preserving quality, using sub-components may be a practical solution. Most likely,... Read More April 2025 Issue #17309 Page 39
Design Connections: Fewer Inspections = Better Quality? Geordie Secord “What do you mean you are stopping the QC inspections?” I could not believe what the operations manager was telling me when it was decided that we would no longer have each truss inspected at completion. Our truss company had always prided itself on delivering the highest quality... Read More April 2025 Issue #17309 Page 124
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
What is the Risk of Using Incorrect Lumber? Glenn Traylor What is at risk when we fail to use the correct lumber? If you are not careful, it could cost you your business. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] Several years ago, I received a call from a client searching for a solution to a problem. Unfortunately, their purchasing... Read More February 2025 Issue #17307 Page 37
Does Your Design Software Always Make the Best Selection of Materials to Use? Glenn Traylor Truss design software simply uses the lumber inventory to determine the least expensive solution when designing a truss simply based on price. Although this is a convenient function, there are several issues the software does not consider – and for these issues a designer should be making... Read More January 2025 Issue #17306 Page 37
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
What Can We Learn From the Timber Products Inspection BCMC Challenge? Glenn Traylor “Since its inception in 1980, the mission of BCMC is to educate and inform, as well as encourage the growth of the component manufacturing industry. Over the course of its history, the show has welcomed exhibitors from all over the world to showcase the cutting-edge technologies,... Read More November 2024 Issue #16304 Page 37
Have You Taken the Quality Assurance Challenge? Glenn Traylor 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... Read More October 2024 Issue #16303 Page 33
Are You Interpreting Member-to-Member Gaps Correctly? Glenn Traylor In a recent discussion with several very well-informed industry folks, it became clear to us that interpretation of member-to-member gaps may not be clear. In particular, we need to take a closer look at Chapter 3 Quality Criteria for the Manufacture of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses of... Read More September 2024 Issue #16302 Page 35
Allowable Plate Embedment Tolerance MiTek Staff Oftentimes, MiTek engineers are asked what plate embedment tolerance is allowed for metal connector plates in wood trusses. Chapter 3 of the ANSI/TPI 1 (National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction) addresses the tolerance for metal connector plate tooth... Read More September 2024 Issue #16302 Page 114