Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.

Other

Aldine Engineered Products, Inc.

David L McAdoo

Timothy K McAdoo

Michael C Rosser

George R Blaine

Wayne A Shamblin

Ronald E Findley

Richard Charles Zeinert

Jeffrey Ceurter

Neil Bradley

Brian Westfall

Jeff Gee

Andrew Lashley

Kenneth T George

Brent McMillan

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.

Apparatus for pre-plating truss members

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.

Apparatus, method and computer program product for providing automated truss assembly

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.

Linear saw with stab-cut bevel capability

A jig positioning system for use on a truss assembly table. The puck assemblyhas a puckpositioned at least partially above the table topwith the puckconnected to a carriagepositioned at least partially below the table top. The puck assemblymoves along slotsin the table top. A threaded rodextends through a threaded passagewayin the carriage, so, when the threaded rod rotates, the puck assembly moves along a corresponding slot in the table. A rod support memberextends along the length of the threaded rodand is positioned below the threaded rod, the support membercontacting the carriage and, thereby, preventing the threaded rod from excessive sagging. A debris path is provided along both sides of the support member

Truss assembly table with automatic jigging

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.

System and apparatus for improving truss fabrication automation

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.

Linear feed cutting apparatus and method

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. The selecting of a second truss member may comprise comparing the angles of the cuts to be made on the trailing end of the first member to the angles of the cuts to be made on the ends of at least two of the members on the list. The selected member may have an angle to be cut which is supplementary to one of the angles of the trailing end of the first member or which is close fitting with an angle on the trailing end of the first member. The selected member is oriented such that the supplementary or close fitting angle of the selected member is adjacent the corresponding supplementary or close fitting angle of the first member. Orienting the selected member may further comprise rotating the member around its longitudinal axis, its lateral axis or both.

Method and apparatus for optimization of cutting lumber

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. The flip-over assembly may comprise a plurality of movable flip-over arms for moving the truss from the first truss position to the second truss position. The invention preferably includes a lift-out assembly having at least one lift-out arm movable relative to the truss table for moving the truss from the second truss position in the second assembly zone to a finished position spaced from the work surface. The finished position may be above and preferably extends beyond the work surface. The lift-out arm may comprise a plurality of lift-out arm rollers mounted thereon.

Truss fabrication apparatus

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. The lift out rails can be inclined when in the raised position and can be inclined sufficiently to cause a truss on the rails to slide down due to gravity alone. The slide mechanism on each lift out rail has an upper surface which may be flush with the table work surface when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The slide mechanism in one embodiment is a slide rod.

Method and apparatus for lifting a truss from a truss assembly table

A method of assembling a truss utilizing a truss assembly apparatus having a truss table with a work surface, the steps comprising: arranging at least two truss members on the work surface to form a truss in a first assembly zone; clamping the truss in the first zone with a movable first clamp rail having at least one flip-arm recess therein; and automatically flipping the truss from the first assembly zone to a second assembly zone by activating a plurality of flip arms, at least a portion of one of the plurality of flip arms movable into the at least one corresponding flip-arm recesses of the first clamp rail.

Method of automatic truss assembly

Truss fabrication method and apparatus

Truss assembly and splicing method and apparatus

A truss assembly apparatus and method for assembling a truss utilizing the apparatus are presented, the apparatus comprising a truss table having a work surface with a first and second assembly zone. A first clamping assembly has a movable first clamp rail for clamping the truss in the first assembly zone, the first clamp rail having at least one flip-arm recess therein. A flip-over assembly has at least one flip-over arm movable relative to the work surface for moving the truss from a first truss position-in the first assembly zone to a second truss position in the second assembly zone, the flip-over arm movable into the flip-arm recess of the first clamp rail. The apparatus may have a plurality of such recesses and flip arms. The truss assembly apparatus may further comprise a second clamping assembly having a movable second clamp rail for clamping the truss in the second assembly zone, the second clamp rail having a flip-arm recess therein movable into the flip-arm recess of the second clamp rail.

Truss table apparatus with automatic truss movement assembly and method

The invention is a method and apparatus for processing an Engine Wood Product member. The member is moved to a home position in a driving unit and the length of the EWP member is automatically measured by moving the EWP member from the home position while engaging the EWP member with a measuring assembly including a measuring wheel having a smooth hard facing, the facing contacting the EWP member. The member is moved to a first cutting position and cut to a predetermined length. Activating one or more position sensor devices, at least one of the position sensor devices positioned such that the EWP member engages the position sensor device while the member is in the home position, the length of the member is determined as it is moved from the home position. Moving the EWP member is accomplished by clamping the EWP member between at least one driver roller and at least one pressure roller, each driver roller aligned with a corresponding pressure roller, and rotating the at least one driver roller to move the EWP member. First and second driver rollers may be spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of the measuring wheel. An outfeed table and infeed table with angled rollers may further be employed.

Engineered wood products cutting method and apparatus

A sawing system is provided having a material conveyor for moving lengths of wood stock through the sawing system. According to one aspect of the invention, the material conveyor is preferably inclined upward from a frontal loading end to facilitate the loading of wood stock. The material conveyor is also preferably adjustable to accommodate different lengths of wood stock. According to another aspect of the invention, the sawing system has at least first and second power saws on one side of the material conveyor and at least third and fourth power saws on the opposite side of the material conveyor. Each of the four power saws is supported for independent angular movement of its saw blade about a pivot axis that is offset from the plane of the saw blade and parallel to the direction of the movement of the lengths of wood stock on the material conveyor. At least one of the first and second power saws is supported for horizontal movement relative to the material conveyor. At least one of the third and fourth power saws is supported for horizontal movement relative to the material conveyor. The pivot axis of each of the first and third power saws is positioned above the conveying plane of the material conveyor form making top angled cuts in the lengths of wood stock moved on the material conveyor. According to a further aspect of the invention, an algorithm is provided for computing a position of the power saws to make desired angled cuts in the ends of the lengths of wood stock.

Growing community of inventors

Alvarado, TX, United States of America

David L McAdoo