Installed at a large home improvement retailer, this advanced lumber-picking system brings a new level of convenience and safety to the shopping experience. Using a robotic arm on a guided track, the system efficiently manages and picks lumber stored in a multi-layered racking structure. The racks are designed to hold different sizes and types of lumber—like 2x4x10s and 4x4x6s—on two primary picking layers, with a third layer dedicated to additional storage.

A customer simply selects their desired lumber type and quantity through a digital interface, for example, 10 pieces of 2x4x10 and 2 pieces of 2x12x12. Once selected, they can continue shopping while the system automatically calculates the optimal picking order to ensure a safe, balanced stack. The robot retrieves the requested items, organizes them, and sends the assembled stack through an automatic banding machine, securely preparing the order for pickup.

By the time the customer is ready to leave, their lumber is bundled and ready for easy pickup—eliminating the need for heavy lifting and reducing the risk of injury. This innovative installation at a home improvement retailer enhances shopper safety, saves time, and makes the lumber-buying experience smoother and more efficient.

This side-profile view captures the cable robot performing three different movements in one seamless sequence:

Single pick to single place
Single pick to dual places
Single pick with a larger truss

From this angle, you can clearly see the precision, control, and smooth transitions between each motion. The demonstration highlights how automation can handle different truss sizes and placement patterns without interruption, proving its adaptability on the plant floor.

Whether it’s efficiency, safety, or flexibility. this system shows how robotic truss handling can change the way we move material in construction manufacturing.

Watch our cable robot in action as it performs a simple truss move. Picking from a single position and placing in a single destination. This demonstration shows the foundation of automated truss handling: precise, reliable, and efficient. By starting with a single pick and single place, we can build up to more complex stacking and sorting operations that transform how trusses are moved in the plant.

If you’re interested in how automation can reshape truss handling and material flow, this is the perfect starting point. Stay tuned for the next videos in this series, where we explore multi-pick, multi-place, and advanced stacking strategies.

This video takes the cable robot concept further, adding a full simulation to show the complete proposed application. From picking stock out of mixed bunk lengths to placing it on a simulated linear saw infeed, this demo highlights how the system can remove manual handling and improve efficiency in real-world truss plants.

Concept simulations like this help visualize the future of automation in component manufacturing.

In this advanced setup, the delivery conveyors for preplated roof members are positioned exclusively above the outfeed rollers, creating an efficient, streamlined workflow. This configuration provides a clear, uninterrupted path for completed trusses to be slid onto the outfeed rollers while new, preplated members are delivered directly to the assembly tables. By utilizing only the space above the outfeed rollers, the system maximizes floor space, reducing congestion around the assembly area and freeing up valuable space within the facility.

This overhead delivery solution not only improves workflow efficiency but also enhances safety by maintaining organized pathways around the tables. The clear division of incoming and outgoing material flows allows operators to work faster and more effectively, enabling a continuous and efficient cycle of truss production without compromising workspace.

Complete LGS Panel Line | Framing, Blocking & Sheathing Stations in Action
Step into the future of light gauge steel construction with this full walkthrough of a complete LGS panel line. From precision framing to integrated blocking and automated sheathing, this video showcases every station along the line — including all conveyance systems that keep production flowing. Whether you’re in modular construction, prefab, or panelized building, this system offers a clear look at how automation can streamline structural panel production from start to finish.