New software si m pl ifies design of engineered wood trusses and panels

l\Tt* soFrwARE nnovr Simpson Strong-Tie, Pleasanton, I\ Ca., allows efficient design and manufacture of roof and floor trusses and wall panels. Going forward, the company will work closely with users to expand functionality of the software on an ongoing basis.

Within the new software, which is named Component Solutions, designers can model structures in an intuitive 3Denvironment, create and optimizetruss and panel designs, send truss design information to Simpson StrongTie for engineering seals-and more.

"Simpson Strong-Tie has been involved in the structural building component industry for decades," says Mike Bugbee, senior vice president of truss and component systems. "This experience has provided invaluable insights into the needs of the component manufacturer and resulted in this latest addition to the Simpson Strong-Tie product line for light-frame construction."

Other new additions include three new truss hangers: HTHMQ is a versatile, high-capacity truss hanger designed to carry two or three trusses to enable a greater range of hip-jack configurations, including various angles, member sizes, and number of plies. HHSUQ is a high load, face mount, truss-to-truss and structural composite lumber hanger designed to accommodate severe skews.

Available Jan. 1, HTHGQ is a high-capacity girder that carries multi-ply trusses (up to five-plies) or structural composite lumber. Previously, such extreme loads required a bolted connection.

Another important offering is truss connector plates manufactured by Automatic Stamping, which was acquired by Simpson Strong-Tie last December.

"This facility was established about four years ago by Bill Black Jr., a leader in the truss industry," says Bugbee. "It produces top-quality truss connector plates with some of the highest loads in the industry."

Simpson Strong-Tie also produces a full range of products for component systems, including proprietary shear walls and moment frames, plus related fasteners, adhesives, and concrete anchors.

"Our range of innovative connections enable longer spans and more complex designs, while addressing increasing loading required to meet evolving code requirements," says Bugbee.