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Article
2006 April
- Viking noted that in 2005, 66 percent of its wall panel system customers and 75 percent of its revenue could be directly tied to exhibiting at BCMC or advertising in SBC Magazine.
- Exhibitors can use the show to learn customer needs, improve their marketing plans, and fine-tune their products.
Article
2006 April
- To comply with the provisions of the model code, a method or material must meet the requirements of the referenced standard
- A Project Committee has been formed to evaluate the 2002 edition of ANSI/TPI 1.
- WTCA is planning to propose changes to the I-Codes for the 2007 code cycle that will move in the direction of having the metal plate connected wood truss requirements currently included in the IBC and IRC also placed into TPI 1 so that both are consistent and ultimately most of the information about truss design and construction will be in TPI 1.
Article
2006 April
- This issue of SBC Magazine focuses on grassroots activities within the industry and also houses the annual membership listing.
- The cover story features Boozer Lumber, a South Carolina component manufacturer with a new perspective on sustainability.
- Another feature honors the life of Robert Mort, Sr.
- The concept of "shear-out" is explained in this issue’s technical feature article.
Article
2006 April
- Hiring and training locally, also referred to as the "homegrown" method, has the greatest potential for meeting the industry’s need for technicians.
- Many potential technicians can be found in the local technical college, and some may start in the shop and work their way up.
- Component manufacturers have been successful with employing homegrown technicians; one reason is they come up through the ranks, and the pay is competitive with the typical salaries for these jobs in the industry.
Article
2006 April
- V.2 includes updated references to the IBC & IRC 2003 codes and ASCE7-02.
- A new delivery method simplifies navigation and course material downloads.
- A new feature provides all content in text format for hearing impaired users.
Article
2006 April
- The WTCA Board voted unanimously to pass a resolution changing the name of the association to "WTCA – Represent-ing the Structural Building Components Industry."
- A management committee resolution was passed to change the Wage & Benefit and Financial Performance survey policy.
- Two new technical staff members have been hired, and the number of professional engineers on staff has increased to four.
- The design of the research and testing facility is nearing completion.
Article
2006 April
- A user-friendly automated saw requires a willing learner to handle its operator-dependent functions.
- Most automated saws today have some form of production reporting, including a comprehensive picture of everything that is going on at the machine.
Article
2006 April
- Boozer Lumber has taken a humanistic approach to employee training to accommodate the needs of a changing work force.
- The training strategy is vastly different from the traditional cerebral and academic-focused leadership training.
- One significant element of Boozer’s training involves employees’ career-long journey to self-awareness.
- The company’s culture change has positively impacted its bottom line and has allowed Boozer to differentiate itself from the competition.
Article
2006 April
- The Western Component Manufacturers Association has taken an active role in educating local and state building officials in Oregon.
- Through its educational efforts, WCMA has begun to forge relationships with the building inspector community.
- In the last six months, WCMA has been invited to participate in several meetings with the inspectors, who have been very receptive to the manufacturers’ information.
Article
2006 April
- The future of the industry is cemented in the simple truth that by using trusses, manufacturers can design more complex roof lines than with stick framing.
- The industry is entrepreneurial.
- Past presidents noted the far-reaching effects that consolidation could have on the industry and its leadership.
- Development and involvement of leadership from the larger companies in the industry is essential.
Article
2006 April
- A new design check, initially termed “chunk-out,” appeared in the truss design process with the adoption of TPI 1-2002.
- The appropriate technical term for chunk-out is actually “shear-out.”
- Understanding shear-out requires defining the stress distribution around the plate and comparing the magnitude of stresses to the wood shear strength under the plate.
- Future finite element stress analysis and testing has been planned in order to define the nominal stresses associated with the shear-out condition.
Article
2006 April
- WTCA chapters offer an excellent venue to get to know your competition and even work together.
- Local chapters provide an environment where relationships and friendly rivalries develop.
- Working together and focusing on making the structural building components industry stronger increases its stature, and everyone reaps the benefits.
Article
2006 April
- Placing nails through metal connector plates into wood members is allowed.
- The 2001 National Design Specifica-tion® for Wood Construction lists design values for common wire, box or sinker nails for single shear connections with up to 20 gauge ASTM A653, Grade 33 steel side plates.
Article
2006 April
- The standard video display terminal consists of a screen, a keyboard and a central processing unit (CPU).
- Providing workstations with adjustable features allows individuals to choose the settings that work best for his or her body.
Article
2006 April
- East met West when Chinese Jiangsu Jifco Holdings went equipment shopping for a new truss and wall panel manufacturing facility in the U.S.
- Even though there were no skilled sawyers, operators, assemblers, or truss technicians available in China, Jay Halteman (Wood Truss Systems) was amazed at the Chinese’s capability and devotion to the project.
- For the new plant in China, Halteman chose what he believed to be the most reliable automated equipment that was also the easiest to operate and had extreme durability.