With the introduction of small computers to the wood roof truss industry, the variety of truss configurations utilized on a typical residence went from one or two 10 years ago to an average of five or more at present. Statistics show that conventional methods of fixturing truss jigging systems in order to assemble the sawn components into a completed woof truss accounts for 41% of the total labor to produce the average truss job. A recent survey shows that an average of 5 to 10 trusses are produced on each jig setup, with even lower numbers becoming more frequent. Conversely, 20 trusses per setup is considered a every good run." Preliminary studies indicate that a robotic ii8 fixturing system, based on the concepts currently utilized in our robotic component saw the Auto Omni, could literally remove ii8 set up time as a significant cost factor in truss fabrication, thereby significantly increasing production while drastically cutting labor costs. The project would design and build six or seven protype robotic work cells to confirm the feasibility of using such cells, functioning with the required precision, to create an automated truss fixturing system.Applications:The successful development of an automated robotic system of work cells designed to move with precision, on command, to specific programmable locations required for fixturing of an infinite variety of trusses will significantly improve production, cut lead time, drastically improve efficiency, and assist in maintaining affordable housing costs for the American home buyer. The system should gain rapid market acceptance, especially among large volume truss fabricators, who are presently faced with optimized systems and space. It offers dramatic production increases, while utilizing existing facilities and in some cases equipment.
