Abstract: A conveyor system for translating objects is disclosed, each object with vertical protrusions extending upward and/or downward from one or more sides of the object. The conveyor system can accommodate structural members such as roof truss members, on which connector plates are affixed and from which the connector plates protrude vertically up, down, or both. The conveyor system may have a slide or some other support for the objects. The slide or other support may be narrow. The slide or other support can be tall, relative to an object. The conveyor system may have an engagement tool driven by an overhead carriage to translate the objects along the slide or other support. The engagement tool may be narrow. The engagement tool can be tall, relative to an object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed. The systems and methods consider a sequence, operations of the sequence, and an approach vector in placing structural members (including structural members with pre-attached fasteners) for assembling structural components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated extrusion of main elements for building construction are disclosed wherein sub-components of sub-elements are extruded by automated means, and sub-elements are assembled by automated means, and the sub-elements are incorporated into main elements by automated means.

Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods used to pick and stack product for transport are disclosed. The systems and methods include a robotic end of arm stacking tool coupled to a robotic arm and including a product support. The product support includes fingers that pivot about an axis to allow spatulas coupled to the fingers to slide under and support the product when the product is picked from a product orienting member and stacked in a product transport member. An actuator can be activated to maintain the product support in a product support state and deactivated to release the product into the product transport member.

Abstract: End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed wherein a selectively configurable fixture is placed on an assembly surface of an assembly table. An assembly table interface couples about a pin of a pin slot of the assembly table and, by means of linkage assembly, translates movement of the pin to a positioning member. The positioning member, by the translated movement of the pin, abuts an element of structural component and supports the element while a fastener is applied to join multiple elements of the structural component. A selectively configurable fixture may be used in isolation, or in combination with other fixtures.

Abstract: A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as an additional axis of movement of the robot.

Abstract: Pre-plating systems and related methods are disclosed. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed robot configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed robot configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member while the structural member is held in position by at least one of the infeed robot or the outfeed robot. A pre-plating system includes a press, a transfer pedestal, a plate picking robot, and a press loading robot. The plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a container and position the plate on the transfer pedestal. The press loading robot is configured to transfer the plate to the press. The press is configured to press the plate into a structural member positioned within the press.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed. The systems and methods consider a sequence, operations of the sequence, and an approach vector in placing structural members (including structural members with pre-attached fasteners) for assembling structural components.

Abstract: A conveyor system for translating objects is disclosed, each object with vertical protrusions extending upward and/or downward from one or more sides of the object. The conveyor system can accommodate structural members such as roof truss members, on which connector plates are affixed and from which the connector plates protrude vertically up, down, or both. The conveyor system may have a slide or some other support for the objects. The slide or other support may be narrow. The slide or other support can be tall, relative to an object. The conveyor system may have an engagement tool driven by an overhead carriage to translate the objects along the slide or other support. The engagement tool may be narrow. The engagement tool can be tall, relative to an object.

Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.

Abstract: A lumber culling system may include a carriage with a distal wall and a proximal wall spaced apart from one another to form an interior of the carriage. An aperture may extend through the distal wall and the proximal wall. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow a board of wood to pass through the distal wall and the proximal wall. Further, the interior of the carriage is visible within the aperture. Imaging equipment may be disposed within the interior of the carriage and arranged to scan a portion of each side of the board of wood that is positioned within the aperture. The carriage may be moved along a length of the board of wood while the board of wood is at rest on static datum supports.