To meet the demands of modern construction, lumber frame and truss manufacturers are embracing automation solutions. The automation revolution started with CNC linear saws for cutting and has now extended to the infeed of raw materials, the placing and nailing of plates, and even stacking finished products. The main aim of the automation game – reduce the number of times a person touches the component.
Q: What does MC Hammer and a lumber frame and truss plant have in common?
A: U can’t touch this!
- From timber pack to infeed.
- Outfeed to trolley.
- Trolley to jig.
- Jig to rollers.
- Rollers to stack.
This list represents:
- 5 fairly common ‘touch’ points in a plant.
- 5 chances for slips, falls, or human error.
- 5 touches that are completely avoidable thanks to automation solutions.
So, how can you MC Hammer this process?
First, start with direct to station delivery with real-time optimization, also known as just-in-time delivery. Use a logistics strategy where cut components are delivered to the location needed at the exact time they are required. To implement that strategy, we recommend Vekta’s Direct Delivery System (DDS), coupled with Real-Time Optimization (RTO) software.
The Vekta DDS is a conveyor system that takes cut components from the outfeed directly to the assembly area as they are needed – with no touches (slips, falls, or human error) involved. In other words, the cut components ‘go with the flow’ and do ‘the bump.’ Much of the logic takes place within the saw itself – optimizing, orientation, order, and kickoff location considerations, for example. The components are cut and then handed over to the DDS with the appropriate information. The DDS then flows the cut components, tracking them along the way, and bumping them off at the correct final location. The result is components delivered to the jigs/assembly areas in the correct orientation and order.
The power of the Vekta RTO software facilitates this entire process: from raw lumber to finished cut members delivered directly, all now being run by a single operator…with a tablet. This provides expert control over the prioritization of jobs and workflow to the downstream stations. In fact, even recuts are no longer a problem, as they can be ordered with a jig/table-side access screen and sent directly to the saw.
To ‘Break it down’:
Every DDS is built bespoke to suit your site and needs, delivery in any direction at the correct orientation, and with the correct justification.
The DDS accepts cut components from one or more saws without increasing needed operators, many saws working toward the jobs and prioritizations that are flexible and monitored.
Multiple handling, sawing, and delivery solutions are controlled by a single operator – what used to take a crew now only takes one general.
Everything is easily maintained and repaired.
Keeping the staff you have, in the areas where they will provide the most value, is vital. Vekta Automation solutions remove the most labor-intensive, least-efficient steps in your plant. From pack handling, to outfeed delivery, to finished product movement and stacking, Vekta can help you remove these added costs and risks from your plant by helping you embrace the ‘you can’t touch this’ mindset.
I told you
You can’t touch this
Too hype, you can’t touch this
Yo, Vekta outta here
You can’t touch this!