Patent classifications
B27M3/006
Wooden truss manufacturing system including multiple printers and method
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.
Automated wall frame assembly system
An automated wall frame assembly system for use in assembling a wall frame includes an advancer assembly including a conveyor system configured to transport first frame members along an assembly axis to an output of the conveyor system. A frame unit is disposed generally at the output of the conveyor system and is configured to receive the first frame members from the conveyor system and attach a second frame member to the first frame members. A gantry assembly is disposed above the advancer assembly. The gantry assembly includes a gantry frame and at least one gantry tool movably attached to the gantry frame. The gantry tool is operable to deliver the second frame member to the advancer assembly from a location above the advancer assembly for being attached to the first frame members.
Wooden trusses manufactured using multiple printers
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.