Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jeff Gee

David L McAdoo

David L Mcadoo

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.

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Grand Prairie, TX, United States of America

Jeff Gee