About 4 years ago, we introduced the first of the new generation of Spida wall panel extruders, and we just keep getting better! Beginning from the combined knowledge and experience gained with the merging of three technology-savvy companies—Multinail, Spida, and Mango Tech—we have the best of these companies combined to create the centerpiece of our Spida wall panel line.
The Spida extruder itself is the most well-known part, but each stage of the wall-building process demonstrates the benefits of using a Spida system.
Operating the System: One operator begins the process at the wall extruder, placing the top and bottom plates in front of the dual pushers on either side of the machine and using the hand controls to clamp the plates in place. A set of locator pins automatically pops up and then the operator takes the first component of the wall (a stud or window/door opening) and places it against the locator pins. Next, the operator holds the fire buttons, so nails are fired automatically through the plates into the component, which uses one or two nail tools on either side of the nailing bridge. After the wall advances to the next location, the plates are clamped and the process repeats until the wall is completed. Then, the pushers automatically drop back and the next set of plates is loaded by the operator. Importantly, the accuracy of the extruder also means that plates only need a simple ID and the computer keeps track of all of the details.
Moving the Material: So that the extruder can produce a constantly moving line of walls, material handling is key! Feeding the beast is crucial for consistently high production numbers. What features does our process have to help you meet your goals? We bring the studs and stud combinations to the operator at around shoulder level directly in front of them, so they can be placed into the wall with minimal movement based on two options: our curved conveyor which turns 90 degrees allowing components to be staged and moved parallel to the line saving space -OR- our over-framer which is a small conveyor belt that elevates the studs that then are pushed onto a sloped skate conveyor and fed down to the operator.
Nailing the Parts: Component builders face the time-consuming and cumbersome process of nailing C corners and L studs, so the stud extruder helps expedite the process with its placement at the foot of either the curved conveyor or over-framer. This machine nails together a variety of combinations including C and L studs, double studs, and triple studs, and it also can be used to attach fire and cabinet blocking. The large throat allows a complete 16” o.c. ladder to be built if required. This is also computer-controlled and driven by the same file on the extruder, ensuring accuracy of the components in both construction and staging order.
Finishing with Openings: The last pieces in the wall panel process are the door and window openings. In an ideal system, these are prebuilt on a table and fed directly onto a chain conveyor. Pop-up pins on the chain conveyors keep these in individual bays and they are progressed forward to the loading bay as required. Components are bought in over the side of the extruder via a driven and pneumatically lifted roller bench, and then the operator pushes them into the wall to be nailed. The standard system allows up to four subcomponents to be staged at any time, but that too can be extended, and everything remains controlled by the extruder’s computer software.
Feeding the Beast: How quickly does the process work? Depending on the complexity of the walls being built, three operators can build 100–170 l.f. of walls per hour. Typically, the operator feeding the stud conveyor will be ahead of the extruder and therefore will be able to help at other stations until the conveyor requires more material.
Adding Sheathing? In Australia and New Zealand where the Spida extruder originated, sheathing is not required on walls—but we knew our customers needed sheathing and needed a solution. After seeing the way traditional sheathing bridges worked, we took a fresh approach, thinking outside the box and putting more inside the extruder! Following the production line mentality, we keep the bridge fixed and move the wall under it. This concept gives us several advantages over our competitors, being able to put the nail tools on either side of the bridge at 16” o.c. means, where available, we can nail along two studs at once. Having the bridge fixed gives us the ability to clamp and straighten studs, and grabbing them underneath in the middle of the wall drastically reducers shiners. An additional fixed gun on each side of the machine nails the top and bottom plates as the wall goes through the process. The Spida sheathing bridge also functions off the same output file as the extruder, so after the sheathing is tacked in place it is “set and forget” until the wall is complete, meaning your labor costs are zero to get the nails, too.
Are You Ready to Start or Improve Your Wall Panel Line? Most importantly, Spida doesn’t just offer a one-size-fits-all wall panel line—we’re ready to design a custom solution to meet your specific needs. We enjoy working closely with our customers to tailor a system to fit their available space, production goals, and budget. Give us a call (+ 1-866-647-7771) to discuss how the extruder can be put to work for you!