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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
July 2022 #14276 Page #60
ROI with No “Space” Fear Factor n today’s volatile economy, there is comfort in knowing the significant housing backlog will rely on the components industry to keep on supplying. Trusses Edmond Lim, P.Eng. are the original off-site construction industry begun more than 60 years ago, LimTek Solutions Inc. and the number of truss plants and capital investments made over the decades is truly staggering. The labor market has always been tight and investing in automation during a downturn has proven to be a sound business decision.
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Beyond the traditional CapEx ROI calculation saying “Yes,” there are always fear factors that will delay the “Go” decision. It is my job to help component plants overcome their fear factors of space, time, labor, safety, maintenance, and support.
The Space Fear Factor My May 2022 article, “Debunking the ‘Automation Takes Too Much Space’ Myth,” overcomes some of the “space” concerns by addressing the in-feeding of lumber using PickLine conveyors instead of forklifts. Contrary to the myth, a lumber PickLine can actually save space by utilizing existing truck lanes and by following existing forklift flow. Interestingly though, while conveyors can be excellent for the out-feeding of finished trusses, in front of truss build tables I have found that a cart system can provide a more efficient and dynamic use of valuable floor space. With an effective cart system, you can boost production for any mix of truss production from intricate single-family houses to high-volume multi-family and high-volume long-span agricultural runs. If “making space” is one of your top concerns, then you really need to examine your staging area. Think about it. Modern truss tables are now “million dollar tables” with automated jigging, laser projection, and PlantOne TVs; yet all this automation is handcuffed if there is only 16-ft to 25-ft of staging area in front of the tables. That is why, on greenfield truss plant layouts, I suggest investing in additional truss outfeed conveyors so that two lines can share staging areas to take full advantage of the investment in table automation and an alwayschanging production schedule. Plant widths with shared staging areas. Continued next page
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