Virtek Trussline Simplifies Process, Ensures Greater Precision In SBS’ Truss Plant

Since its founding more than 25 years ago, SBS has been the leader in Alaska in truss fabrication. With the installation of the Virtek TrussLine™ laser projection system in February 1999, SBS secured its leadership position.

According to Jim Ford, SBS truss plant manager, the set up time at SBS has been reduced by more than 50 percent as a direct result of Virtek’s system. Although set up time is only a small percentage of actual production time, it helps keep SBS’ competitive edge.

“TrussLine simplifies the truss manufacturing process by projecting a laser outline onto the set up table, highlighting the position and shape of all truss joints and connector plates.” Ford said. “We can see how the truss is going to fit on the table before we begin.” With TrussLine’s boards-up projection feature, SBS operators simply follow the laser line template to place pre-cut lumber on the set up table and set the jigging. “The quality of trusses produced on the Virtek system is excellent,” Ford continued. “The system’s pinpoint accuracy ensures precision while reducing errors and waste.”

Customers are not the only ones who are happy with TrussLine. “The operators love it,” says Ford. Virtek’s software makes it easy for operators to run the system efficiently with less than an hour of instruction. Ford compared that to the two years of training previously required to do complex trusses.

More than 80 percent of SBS’ truss business consists of complex trusses such as hip sets and vaulted trusses. Since buying the Virtek system, SBS has the flexibility to build these complicated structures quicker and more accurately.

SBS was the first company in Alaska to adopt the TrussLine system and as the plant manager testifies, “TrussLine has proven itself to us and to our contractors.”