Abstract: A pre-plating station may include an automated pre-plating device configured to receive a cut truss member and at least partially fasten a connector plate to a portion of the truss member based on truss design data prior to communication of the truss member to a truss assembly location.

Abstract: A truss assembly station may include a truss assembler. The truss assembler may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members by providing an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprise moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: A jig positioning system for use on a truss assembly table. The puck assembly 108 has a puck 109 positioned at least partially above the table top 105 with the puck 109 connected to a carriage 110 positioned at least partially below the table top. The puck assembly 108 moves along slots 118 in the table top 105. A threaded rod 102 extends through a threaded passageway 103 in the carriage 110, so, when the threaded rod rotates, the puck assembly moves along a corresponding slot in the table. A rod support member 116 extends along the length of the threaded rod 102 and is positioned below the threaded rod 102, the support member 116 contacting the carriage and, thereby, preventing the threaded rod from excessive sagging. A debris path is provided along both sides of the support member 116.

Abstract: A truss assembly system may include a truss assembly station. The truss assembly station may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members via an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece by moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also include positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprise moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece by moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also include positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing dynamic measurement of an elongated work piece includes at least one motion controller configured to engage at least one face of the work piece and move the work piece inline relative to the apparatus, a fence and a measurement device. The fence is configured to engage a face of the work piece and define a first reference plane along which inline motion of the work piece progresses relative to the apparatus. The measurement device is configured to engage an opposite face to the face of the work piece engaged by the fence to define a second reference plane, the measurement device being further configured to provide a digital measurement of a distance between the first reference plane and the second reference plane to an electronic device.

Abstract: A truss assembly station may include a jigging table for assembling a truss thereon and a truss assembler. The truss assembler is disposed at a mobile gantry suspended a predetermined distance from a surface of the jigging table. The mobile gantry is configured to move relative to the surface. The truss assembler is configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members by providing an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss.

Abstract: A truss assembly system may include a truss assembly station. The truss assembly station may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members via an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.

Abstract: A truss member transportation apparatus may include a member transporter and a member queue. The member transporter may be configured to transport truss members including at least one pre-plated member for truss assembly. The member queue may be operably connected to the member transporter to receive the truss members prior to selection of the truss members for truss assembly.

Abstract: A pre-plating station may include an automated pre-plating device configured to receive a cut truss member and at least partially fasten a connector plate to a portion of the truss member based on truss design data prior to communication of the truss member to a truss assembly location.

Abstract: A truss assembly station may include a truss assembler. The truss assembler may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members by providing an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.

Abstract: A computer-based method for maximizing the use of lumber in the production of truss members for a truss assembly using a linear feed saw apparatus. The method comprises storing a list of truss members to be cut by the linear feed saw apparatus, selecting from the list a first truss member for cutting, the first member having a trailing end. A second truss member from the list is selected for cutting, the second member having a first end that will nest with the trailing end of the first member. The second member is oriented such that its first end nests with the trailing end of the first member. The members are then cut using the linear feed saw. The nesting members can abut across the entire member width, only across a portion of the member width or at a single point. The nested ends of the first and second members may be bevel cuts.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling completed trusses. The truss handling apparatus moves completed trusses from a conveyor system to selected stacks in a staging area. The truss handler has an extendable boom crane mounted for rotational movement. The crane includes a truss engaging assembly which engages a completed truss such that it can be lifted by the boom crane. The engagement assembly rotates and tilts the engaged truss such that it can be aligned with a stack of trusses. The truss engaging assembly has movable arms to engage trusses of varying size and shape and has hooks for grappling the truss. The apparatus can stack the completed trusses in any of multiple stacks in a staging area. The trusses in each stack can be oriented horizontally, vertically or otherwise.

Abstract: A jig positioning system for use on a truss assembly table. The puck assembly 108 has a puck 109 positioned at least partially above the table top 105 with the puck 109 connected to a carriage 110 positioned at least partially below the table top. The puck assembly 108 moves along slots 118 in the table top 105. A threaded rod 102 extends through a threaded passageway 103 in the carriage 110, so, when the threaded rod rotates, the puck assembly moves along a corresponding slot in the table. A rod support member 116 extends along the length of the threaded rod 102 and is positioned below the threaded rod 102, the support member 116 contacting the carriage and, thereby, preventing the threaded rod from excessive sagging. A debris path is provided along both sides of the support member 116.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus and a method for assembling a truss utilizing the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a truss table having a work surface divided into a first and second assembly zone. The apparatus further includes first and second clamping assemblies for clamping the truss in the first and second assembly zones. The apparatus includes a flip-over assembly having a flip-over arm movable relative to the truss table for moving the truss from a first truss position in the first assembly zone, wherein a first truss face contacts the work surface, to a second truss position in the second assembly zone, wherein a second truss face contacts the work surface. The flip-over arm is movable between a home position adjacent said work surface and an extended position, wherein the flip-over arm may be perpendicular to the work surface. In another alternative, at least a portion of the flip-over arm may extend over the second assembly zone when the flip-over arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a truss assembly from a truss assembly table work surface are presented having lift out rails movable between a recessed position beneath the work surface and a raised position above the work surface. A support element assembly is movably mounted to each lift out rail and has at least one support surface for supporting a truss assembly when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The support element assembly is movable between an up position and a down position. In the up position the support surface is flush with the work surface of the truss table, the support element assembly in the up position when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. In the down position the support surface does not interfere with a truss assembly sliding on the slide mechanism of the lift out rail, the support element assembly in the down position when the lift out rail is in the raised position.