Abstract: A wooden truss includes an elongated lower chord, first and second upper chords, and web members extending therebetween. Alternatively, the wooden truss includes two elongated chords and web members extending therebetween. A member identifier is printed on a broad face of at least one of such chords to identify such chord before assembly of the wooden truss. An assembled truss identifier is printed on an outward-facing edge of such chord to identify an assembled wooden truss incorporating such chord, wherein the assembled truss identifier is visible to an observer viewing a stack of such wooden trusses. The assembled truss identifier is printed a predetermined distance from a first end of such chord wherein such assembled truss identifiers are in alignment when a series of such wooden trusses are stacked adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wooden members used to assemble wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list identifying each member included in each trusses. A first conveyor transports wooden members from an infeed chute to a finger-jointer joining wooden members end-to-end. A saw cuts the joined wood, and a second conveyor transports cut wooden members past a face printer for printing a component identifier on the face of such member, and past an edge printer for printing identifying assembled truss information upon an edge of selected members. A sensor detecting a member approaching the printers provides a signal to the control computer to synchronize printing by the face printer and to synchronize printing by the edge printer. The face printer and edge printer may be oriented perpendicular to each other. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wooden members used to assemble wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list identifying each member included in each trusses. A first conveyor transports wooden members from an infeed chute to a finger-jointer joining wooden members end-to-end. A saw cuts the joined wood, and a second conveyor transports cut wooden members past a face printer for printing a component identifier on the face of such member, and past an edge printer for printing identifying assembled truss information upon an edge of selected members. A sensor detecting a member approaching the printers provides a signal to the control computer to synchronize printing by the face printer and to synchronize printing by the edge printer. The face printer and edge printer may be oriented perpendicular to each other. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing wooden members for wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list, a series of infeed chutes for automatically transferring wooden members of different types to a conveyor, a scanner to detect defects, a defect saw for trimming such defects, a finger-jointer for joining wooden members end-to-end, a flying saw for cutting wood discharged from the finger jointer, a cutting saw for cutting wooden members processed by the first flying saw into web member blanks, and a component saw for cutting angles on the ends of the web member blanks. The control computer analyzes the batch list for causing a first infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a first type sufficient to produce all web members formed from wood of the first type, and then causes a second infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a second type. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing wooden members for wooden trusses includes a control computer receiving a batch list, a series of infeed chutes for automatically transferring wooden members of different types to a conveyor, a scanner to detect defects, a defect saw for trimming such defects, a finger-jointer for joining wooden members end-to-end, a flying saw for cutting wood discharged from the finger-jointer, a cutting saw for cutting wooden members processed by the first flying saw into web member blanks, and a component saw for cutting angles on the ends of the web member blanks. The control computer analyzes the batch list for causing a first infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a first type sufficient to produce all web members formed from wood of the first type, and then causes a second infeed chute to feed in wooden members of a second type. A related method is also disclosed.