How are modern-day trusses made? In this video, Jordan Smith is filming at a CBS truss plant in Huntsville, Alabama where automation and software are used to make trusses. Simply, a truss is an assembly made from two force members that are attached at the nodes. A force member is all of the web sections and cords in compression and tension. Imagine there's a force pressing down at the top and there are two walls on either end pressing up, while the force presses down the members. All of this is offset at this side over here so that there's no twisting or bending moments at these nodes. In 1955, John Calvin Durrett invented the truss plate, a piece of metal that has spikes that are pressed out of it and then pressed together and rolled over. Beginning with a two-dimensional sketch, builders show truss makers the plans and the truss is built in 3-D software called Sapphire. The Sapphire 3-D Viewer allows the designers to use the builder's sketch to work off of, adding all of the different engineering and code requirements, wind load, and more. They design the trusses in 3-D based off the plans, roof planes, wall heights from the floor plans and deliver it to the builder via cellphone for review and modification. Changes can be made, such as those allowing for HVAC systems, and the changes can be seen in real time. Scheduling is easy, and the builder knows when the finished trusses will be delivered. All of the truss building is automated, with wood cut both to length and all angles in real time. There's complete material traceability and there's less waste. The process, shown in the video is very cool. They are able to et 9000 board feet off of their automated system. With a manual table and a highly competent crew, the top was 5,000 board feet. For the builder it is more economical," and customization is easy. The trusses are stacked and bundled then hit the truck to the job site.