A
Th e
Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
February 2022 #14271 Page #43
What Can We Do About Missing Connector Plates? reviously, we’ve reviewed the top manufacturers’ defects according to a survey of In-house inspections. (See my April 2020 article, “How Do Your Manufacturing Errors Rank on the List?”, for the top ten items and ways to correct them.) While wane in the plated area topped the list, the second highest defect was missing connector plates. Of all the issues, it seems like that would be the easiest to remedy, but yet it is always on the list. Let’s discuss the problem and then evaluate some of the potential solutions.
By Glenn Traylor
P
The Problem Connectors are required on both sides of the truss to transfer load. Having only a single connector application will change the load characteristics and create a single shear configuration that was not considered in the engineering. We all know that, but sometimes situations in the manufacturing process will result in missing or ineffectual plates. In a gantry press system, the gantry sometimes doesn’t press the bottom plate adequately to ensure the connector makes it all the way down the line into the finish roller. Likewise, gaps designed in the table for lift-outs or walk-thru can create areas where a gantry cannot press adequately. These problems are not normally an issue with C-press systems, however, truss builders can forget to plate joints in any system.
Potential Solutions Knowing that we want and need those truss plates, what can we do about it? Listed from very sensible to less effective are steps you can take: 1.
Provide special training to stackers on how to visually detect missing connectors. For example, often the top plate dictates the bottom plate as long as the plate extends beyond the web and chord – this can be easy to detect when personnel are instructed to make the effort.
2.
Make adjustments to the gantry, or adjust the table to correct low spots. Tables should be releveled every 6–12 months. Jacks exist on most systems to facilitate this maintenance. This should be done with an optical transit.
3.
Cover gaps in tables with pads, or shift and reposition trusses to avoid connectors over gaps in tables as the truss is being set up.
4.
Stack trusses vertically to help identify missing connectors. Each truss can have a complete visual inspection after it is completed. (The downside for this approach, however, is that vertical stacking can present safety issues which have to be addressed appropriately to prevent injury.) Continued next page
PHONE: 800-289-5627
Read/Subscribe online at www.componentadvertiser.com
FAX: 800-524-4982