A torsion box panel assembly includes a plurality of sub-panels each having a skin secured to a core, and a plurality of hinges each coupled between a different pair of the sub-panels such that each sub-panel is foldable relative to an adjacent sub-panel along a respective hinge. The hingedly-coupled sub-panels together form a base panel having an expanded configuration in which each hinge is closed and the surfaces of the sub-panel skins are substantially co-planar. The base panel, in its expanded configuration, has a planar panel surface defined, at least in part, by the combination of the co-planar sub-panel skins. At least one stabilizing member is secured to the planar panel surface and spans all of the closed hinges to lock the sub-panels together to form a torsion box panel.

A torsion box panel assembly includes a plurality of sub-panels each having a skin secured to a core, and a plurality of hinges each coupled between a different pair of the sub-panels such that each sub-panel is foldable relative to an adjacent sub-panel along a respective hinge. The hingedly-coupled sub-panels together form a base panel having an expanded configuration in which each hinge is closed and the surfaces of the sub-panel skins are substantially co-planar. The base panel, in its expanded configuration, has a planar panel surface defined, at least in part, by the combination of the co-planar sub-panel skins. At least one stabilizing member is secured to the planar panel surface and spans all of the closed hinges to lock the sub-panels together to form a torsion box panel.

A system and method for increasing a crush strength of a panel. The system having a panel being made from side-grain wood, a bore that extends partly or completely through the panel, and a plug made from end-grain wood. Because end-grain wood has a significantly higher crush strength per square inch than side-grain wood, a topical crush strength of the panel can be increased through the use of the plug. The plug can further be provided with a hollow portion to be used with a thread stepped dowel comprising of a base section, at least one middle section, and a tip section, with each section being progressively smaller in circumference than the last. The at least one middle section of the threaded stepped dowel further comprises thread spiraling around the outer surface of the at least one middle section.

Building panels, such as a floor panels or wall panels, which include a first mechanical locking system at respective parallel and opposite third and fourth edges, such as long edges, configured to cooperate for horizontal and vertical locking between two adjacent building panels, preferably by a folding motion. The panels further include a second locking system at respective parallel and opposite first and second edges, such as short edges, configured to cooperate for horizontal and vertical locking of two adjacent building panels. An upper edge portion of one of the third edge or fourth edge, preferably the third edge, includes a first lower lip portion configured to cooperate with a first upper lip portion of an upper edge portion of the other of the third and fourth edge of an adjacent panel when the third and fourth edges are arranged in locking engagement.

A nail plater apparatus includes at least one nail plate magazine configured to hold a plurality of nail plates, and at least one nail plate extractor assembly associated with the at least one nail plate magazine and configured to position at least one nail plate therefrom to at least one nail plate pressing area. A board feeder is configured to position a board to a board receiving area. At least one nail plate presser assembly is adjacent the board receiving area and aligned with the at least one nail plate pressing area and configured to press the at least one nail plate into the board.

A system and method for assembling framing assemblies for use as ceiling or floor structures of modular building units using automation are disclosed. The framing assemblies include trusses that are attached at the lateral edges thereof by a joist including at least one layer of dimensional lumber to form a substantially rigid framework. Cover panels are positioned over and attached to an inner surface of the framing assembly.

A wood laminated construction element includes a wooden surface piece and a wooden bonded body. The wooden surface piece has a natural wood grain in a first wood grain direction, and includes two end segments and a connection segment disposed between the end segments. The wooden bonded body includes at least an end wood piece and at least a connection wood piece. The end wood piece is adhered to one of the end segments, and has a natural wood grain in a second wood grain direction transverse to the first wood grain direction. The connection wood piece is adhered at least to the connection segment, and has a natural wood grain in a third wood grain direction which is consistent with the first wood grain direction.

The invention refers to a method of joining a nogging to a stud to form a sub-module of a prefabricated building module. The method comprises the acts of: providing (1000) a stud (2) and orienting the stud with a longitudinal extension of the stud along a first direction (A); providing (2000) a nogging material having a longitudinal extension being greater than an intended length of the nogging, and orienting the nogging material with a longitudinal extension along a second direction (B) being transverse to the first direction (A); moving (3000) a first free end of the nogging material into abutment with a first side surface of the stud (2) and cutting the nogging material to form a first nogging (3a); fixating (5000) and joining the free end of the nogging (3a) with the stud (2); moving (6000) the stud (2) and the first nogging (3a) along the first direction (A); and moving (7000) the free end of the nogging material into abutment with the stud (2); cutting (8000) the nogging material at a distance from the abutment, thereby forming a second nogging (3b); and fixating (9000) and joining the stud (2) and the second nogging (3b).

Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.

Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system comprising tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other and configured such that the protrusions can obtain a vertically unlocked position where they match the cavities and a vertically locked position where the protrusions overlap each other.