enduroframe

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Walls

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Wall Frames

A common question is how to fix pictures, shelves and other items to LGS walls. This article explains the solutions available with the ENDUROFRAME® building system.

Attaching pictures, brackets, towel rails and shelves to steel frames is a common query we receive for ENDUROFRAME® building system support. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

For hanging pictures, use readily available hooks from any hardware store that attach directly to the plaster. This method doesn’t require a stud and can support up to 20 kg.
To attach directly to a stud, simply use a coarse thread self-drilling or self-tapping screw through a predrilled hole.
For a more secure fix for heavy items like TVs, cupboards, and towel rails, our ENDUROFRAME® building system includes a unique face fix nogging solution. This feature, added during the detailing stage of new homes, ensures a robust mount that won’t fail, providing long-term value and peace of mind.

Find out more

Contact our team to find out how to start making efficient light gauge steel frames, or contact one of our experienced licencees who manufacture the ENDUROFRAME®️ building system

Contact Enduroframe today Find a supplier

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Benefits of self-certification

The ENDUROCADD® software complies with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Protocol for Structural Software, allowing its outputs to replace signoff by a registered engineer for most one and two-story residential buildings saving time and money.

The ENDUROCADD® software is the first light gauge steel software package to be independently certified to comply with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Protocol for Structural Software, and has done so for the last 12 years.

While this has been done for many years by the major timber software packages, the ENDUROCADD® software package remains the only light gauge steel package to comply with this protocol.

Compliance with this protocol means that the software has been independently checked and certified to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), and its outputs can be used in lieu of signoff by a registered engineer, however there are limitations to this.

To utilize the self-certification function and adhere to the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software, projects must be endorsed by a “Trained Software User” (TSU) who has proven proficiency in operating the software. Additionally, TSUs need to possess a certificate bearing their name and unique number. Our in-house support team for the ENDUROFRAME® building system provides the necessary training and testing to TSUs.

There are limitations on the buildings that can be self-certified by the software: they must be class 1 and 10 buildings as defined by the NCC – basically houses or sheds, and there are limitations on the size of buildings.

The big benefit with this is once your detailer becomes a trained software user they can sign of on the majority of one and two story domestic houses including cyclonic, without the cost or time delays of having a structural engineer sign off the job.

The major advantage of self-certified software used by TSUs is that they can approve the majority of one and two-story residential buildings, including cyclonic structures, without incurring the expenses or time delays associated with obtaining a structural engineer’s approval for the project.

There are 3 certificates that the ENDUROCADD® software prepares:

ENDUROTRUSS® Certification. All of the designs of the structural members and connections within trusses are designed by the software and a list of the trusses that have passed/failed are listed. Rafters need to be selected based on lookup tables in the ENDUROFRAME® building system Design Manuals which are signed off by a registered engineer.
ENDUROWALL® Certification. This certificate provides a statement that the Trained Software User has selected the correct sections from the ENDUROFRAME® design manuals which are signed off by a registered engineer.
ENDUROFLOOR® Certification. All of the designs of the structural members and connections within trusses are designed by the software and a list of the trusses that have passed/failed are listed.

Our ENDUROFRAME® building system Design Manuals include a variety of floor and roof beams that have been approved by a registered engineer and cover the most common scenarios. If you require beams that are not covered in these manuals, you can design them using Spanman – A Timber and Steel Framing Manual On The Internet. We provide a link to the Spanman website from our ENDUROCADD® software, but please note that it requires an additional subscription. ENDUROCADD® software licensees can apply for a Spanman subscription discount.

Structural steel used in combination with the LGS will still require approval from a structural engineer.

Find out more

We are very happy to discuss further the benefits that the ENDUROCADD® software's compliance to the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software can provide to your business

Contact Enduroframe today

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Simplifying Tying Down Frames

The ENDUROFRAME® Building System features a patented bent tab tiedown that replaces brackets to tie down frames, offering an uplift capacity of up to 30kN and significant cost savings by eliminating the need for expensive brackets that can be time consuming to fix. These innovations save time and money while reducing dependency on costly external brackets.

Full process focus

We are continually enhancing the ENDUROFRAME® Building System, not only to optimize its manufacturing process but also to simplify onsite installation for tradespeople.

Tying down frames

It is crucial to ensure that frames are securely anchored to the underlying structure in order to withstand wind uplift forces. Typically, inserting a bolt into a bottom plate next to a stud only yields up to 6kN of uplift resistance, which is inadequate for most wind regions and commonly used truss spans. To address this limitation, additional brackets are necessary to be fixed to the side of the stud and secured with bolts. However, these brackets can be costly and time-consuming to install.

Eliminating brackets

In contrast, the ENDUROFRAME® Building System incorporates a patented bent tab tiedown produced on the ENDURO® Rollformer. This innovative approach replaces the need for brackets fixed to studs and effectively secures studs to the underlying structure while offering an impressive uplift capacity of up to 30kN. By eliminating the requirement for expensive side-mounted brackets attached to studs, significant savings in both material and labour costs are achieved.

Moreover, the bent tab tiedown incorporates pre-punched holes for precise anchor bolt placement, removing any uncertainty for installation teams regarding bracket and bolt positioning. The bolt hole furthest away from the slab edge can be used greatly increasing the capacity of the bolt into the concrete slab.

Making installation and inspection easy

It’s even possible to print bolt type or uplift capacity information on each stud, further facilitating installation. These innovations save time and money for both installers and building surveyors while reducing dependency on costly external brackets.

We’re delighted to introduce an enhancement that empowers users of ENDUROCADD® software to choose which side of the stud should face the bent tab tiedown. This flexibility allows the bent tab tiedown to face away from the stud flanges, simplifying drilling and anchor bolt insertion during installation.

Find out more

Please feel free to reach out for more information about numerous other builder-friendly features in our innovative ENDUROFRAME® Building System!

Contact Enduroframe today

24/09/2024 by enduroframe

Shaping Curved Walls: A Simple and Elegant Solution

A Simple and Elegant Solution for Shaping Curved Walls

The ENDUROFRAME® building system offers a straightforward and robust solution for shaping steel walls into both small and large curves. This versatile capability is gaining popularity across commercial and residential settings. It can add an elegant touch to spiral staircases in upscale homes!

The ENDUROFRAME® building system solution enables top and bottom plates, as well as noggings to be made so that they can rotate to user-defined curves.

No specialized tools, additional cutting, or techniques are needed—just a creative vision!

For further information, please reach out to the ENDUROFRAME® building system team or any of our licensed partners across Australia.

Find out more

Please feel free to reach out for more information about architect-friendly features in our innovative ENDUROFRAME® building system!

Contact Enduroframe today

20/06/2024 by enduroframe

ENDUROHUB Portal Update June 2024

ENDUROHUB® Portal Update June 2024

ENDUROHUB®️ is a powerful online application to provide the data to efficiently run a factory to manufacture light gauge steel frames. ENDUROHUB®️ converts files generated in the ENDUROCADD®️ software into files that can be made by ENDURO® rollformers following predefined rules to meet individual fabricator preferences to optimise productivity. Additionally, ENDUROHUB®️ includes features such as sorting fabrication sheets according to assembly sequence, organizing wall panels for efficient stacking on trucks, tracking production and assembly progress, and generating comprehensive reports.

There were many highly requested features added in the June 2024 ENDUROHUB® update:

Assembly Height added to Assemblies and BOM tabs
Fabrication Record Improvements
Customised Assembly Rates
Rollformer shown in Order Screen
Strap bracing cutting lists now available for ENDUROBRACE machines
Short noggings can now be manufactured
and more!

Assembly Height added to Assemblies and BOM tabs

A new column has been added to the “Assemblies” tab and “BOM” tab which displays the height information of Wall, Truss and Joist assemblies. The height column can be enabled from the “Column chooser”.

It’s now possible to automatically sort assemblies by “Height”. ENDUROHUB® portal managers can turn this on by adding “Height” to the sort options in the “Fabrication Sort Profile” settings.

In addition to sorting by assembly height, it is also possible to put assemblies into a batch based on their height.

Reports can now be generated with Height and Width information of assemblies to work out the Panel and Truss stacking without needing to use “Panel Stacker” software.

An example of possible sort settings includes:

Sorting trusses by truss span, and then by height to get a “pyramid” of trusses;
Sorting wall frames by panel height, and then by panel width so all panels that are the same height can be made together with the longest panels at the bottom of a stack.

ⓘ The Height information visibility in ENDUROHUB® along with the width information would largely work as an alternative to Panel Stacker if explored to its full potential.

Hide Orders in the Order Screen

This version allows users to select which orders can be hidden in the order screen. This means that orders that have been completed are not shown in the order screen so that you can focus on the orders that still need to be made.

The added bonus of this is that that orders that are not hidden will load faster.

ⓘ Orders that are hidden are not deleted. To see any hidden jobs select the Show hidden jobs tickbox at the bottom of the Orders screen.

Fabrication Record Improvements

While assigning assembly times to Fabrication records, the pre-defined breaks would be automatically included based on the start and end times selected against the fabrication record.

The Start and End times of Breaks are required to be defined in Assembly settings.

ⓘ The BOM tab is used to split an order’s parts into batches and sort parts into the sequence they will be rollformed.

Customised Assembly Rates

In the Assembly Settings, you can now customize rates for permanent, part-time, and casual staff to gain a more precise insight into assembly costs. If these fields are left empty, the system will default to using the average assembly cost per hour.

Rollformer shown in Order Screen

Users can see which rollformer batches have been assigned to in the Order screen. This makes it easier to see which rollformer an order will be made on in multi-rollformer sites.

Strap bracing cutting lists now available for ENDUROBRACE machines

It is now possible to create cutting lists for ENDUROBRACE machines. This means strap braces can be manufactured in the same sequence as wall panels with wall panel IDs printed on the straps. You can select which types of strap braces cutting lists are created for. Strap braces can be batched and sorted.

This makes creating strap braces much faster!

Short noggings can now be manufactured

Until now, short noggings were not designed in ENDUROCADD® because they couldn’t be manufactured in the ENDURO® rollformer due to the length of the web notch.

This is now changed and ENDUROHUB® will add transition parts on each end of a short nogging head or sill which enable the part to go through the rollformer without getting jammed. These need to be cut off when the nogging is installed.

The default is to make short noggings with extensions at each end, however this can be changed in the Settings Profile.

The details of this feature can be seen at EE-85 – Short Noggings on Panel Ends beside Openings – ENDUROCADD Help (login required)

Other features added to ENDUROHUB® in June 2024

Columns can now be resized in the Orders Screen;
Fabrication charts in the Dashboard can be filtered by shift
There is a Loose Usage Order sequence in the Sort Profile;
Pack numbers can be manually added to assemblies in the Assemblies Tab and a Pack number column can now be selected in the cutting list tab
Headings are now added in the Release Order function to identify which batches have – and have not – been released

At Enduroframe, we are focusing on expanding the capabilities of ENDUROHUB® beyond cutting lists and provide metrics to aid scheduling and allow reporting on manufacturing processes.

Interested in learning more about ENDUROHUB®? Check out these related articles:

For students of our ENDUROCADEMY online training portal, there is an ENDUROHUB® Basics course available here

21/05/2024 by enduroframe

Challenges and Solutions in Constructing Hip Roofs with Light Gauge Steel

Constructing hip roofs is one of the most challenging aspects with light gauge steel construction, and is an area that timber frame installers often struggle with when transitioning to light gauge steel framing.

The primary challenges often involve correctly positioning trusses and rafters to ensure the proper formation of the hip end, ensuring straight alignment of all members along the eaves line, establishing a well-defined hip line that aligns with hip flashings, allowing ample space on the hip line for securing roof battens, and addressing difficulties in connecting members at 45-degree angles.

The ENDUROFRAME®️ building system offers a range of unique features within light gauge steel framing to effectively address the challenges associated with hip roofs. Moreover, it provides a plethora of options to accommodate diverse requirements and building practices across Australia.

When combined, these elements offer a straightforward solution for constructing hip roofs:

1. Locating holes for Truss to rafter connection

To simplify the positioning process, locating holes are punched in both the rafter and truncated truss top chords, ensuring their precise alignment as depicted in the cross-section below.

2. Truss connection details printed on wall top plate

Both trusses and rafters are accurately positioned along top plates, as their locations and associated tiedown brackets are clearly marked on top plates.

3. Locating holes for tiedown bracket to truss/rafter connection

Locating holes in tie-down brackets and truss bottom chords guarantee consistent overhangs for all rafters and trusses.

4. Folded tabs for truss/rafter to hip rafter connection

Lastly, members can be effortlessly connected using engineered folded tabs with specified capacities.

Why do we have many different ENDUROFRAME® hip options?

To ensure that steel frame technology can accommodate buildings of varying complexity and architectural style, it is crucial to have flexible options for constructing hip roofs. Builders often have their own preferences based on past experience building hip roofs and material-saving considerations.

To address this complexity, ENDUROFRAME® now offers 4 types of hip ends and 3 types of hip rafters which make up the hip roof.

It is easy to select these in the ENDUROCADD®️ software which automates the modelling and design of the trusses, rafters and brackets that make up the roof hip.

What are hip ends and hip rafters?

Hip ends refer to the options available for building common rafters or trusses that run perpendicular to the eaves and main roof trusses. These hip ends become shorter in length as they approach the corner of the roof.

Hip rafters, on the other hand, are diagonal members that extend from the corner of the roof up to the ridge line of the building. There are two main varieties of hip rafters: those centered on the hip line of the roof and those with the top flange parallel to the roof hip face.

Which hip end and hip rafter should you use?

The choice of hip options depends on job specifications, engineering requirements, and installer/builder preferences. Engineering requirements may include:

Roof pitch: Shallow roof pitches may require a larger setback for the first truncated truss, making it taller and stronger, which in turn affects the span of the hip rafters.
Heel depth: High heel depths over the external wall can impact the design of the hip rafters, potentially requiring an upstand and bottom chord trimmer.
Eave overhang distance: Larger eave overhangs may necessitate higher base material thicknesses or boxed hip rafters for increased strength.
Wind Speed: Higher wind speeds may require additional tie-downs for the hip rafters, and sometimes even thicker gauges of steel to be used, or more boxing of members.

Builder preferences often depend on their experience with previous truss systems, aiming to minimize the learning curve. For example, some builders prefer hip rafters centered on the hip line as they provide a clear indication of where the hip capping should be installed. Others opt for hip rafters in line with the hip roof face to provide a good fixing surface for roof battens.

Hip End Types

The ENDUROFRAME®️ system has 3 types of hip ends: Type 1, Type 1A, Type 2, and Type 3. This explains each of them.

Type 1 Hip End

This is the most affordable option as it uses the least amount of steel. The common rafter can be single or boxed for additional strength. It also features smart rafter holes that align with prepunched holes in the truncated truss top chords, ensuring perfect alignment of the common rafters on both trusses and the wall panel. However, this type is not recommended if there is a raised heel in the roof trusses, as it lacks a bottom chord trimmer to accommodate the heel step up over the external wall.

A 3D model for closer inspection can be found here:

ENDUROCADD Basics - Type 1 Hip End by enduroframe on Sketchfab

Type 1A Hip End

Similar to Type 1, this hip option includes a vertical chord joining to the first truncated truss and a horizontal bottom chord running perpendicular to the first truncated truss out to the external wall.

The first truncated truss is automatically made flush to prevent clashes between the rafters and the webs of the truss. This design facilitates easy packing, storage, and transport.

Type 1A hip enables fast and accurate erection as the vertical chord on the rafter locates and braces the position of the first truncated truss. It also allows for pushing the pitching perimeter outwards to change the heel depth over the external wall and create a sail over or cantilevered eave.

A 3D model for closer inspection can be found here:

ENDUROCADD Basics - Type 1A Hip End by enduroframe on Sketchfab

Type 2 Hip End

These rafters are exceptionally strong and ideal for large spans. The first truncated truss can be installed at a greater distance back from the pitching perimeter, providing increased strength. They are particularly suitable for raised ceilings and commercial buildings with box gutters. Type 2 hip is also the strongest option for cantilevered eaves.

The rafters are designed as trusses in the web editor and connect to the first station girder truss, which is set back by the user-defined distance.

A 3D model for closer inspection can be found here:

ENDUROCADD Basics - Type 2 Hip End by enduroframe on Sketchfab

Type 3 Hip End

The Type 3 Hip End is the most similar method to that used by timber roof trusses in hip ends, and is ideal for builders transitioning from putting up timber trusses. It has trusses running 45 degrees from the corner of the roof resting on girder trusses with top chords extending to the apex of the roof.

This option is suitable for very low roof pitches and also where the eaves are cantilevered past the outside of the building, and can even allow boxed gutters to be included in the hip end.

This system includes a unique, innovative system of engineered tabs which can be easily folded to fixed to adjoining members making assembly quick.

A key feature of this truss system is that all members are engineered.

A 3D model for closer inspection can be found here:

Type 3 Hip End Installation by enduroframe on Sketchfab

What are the different Hip Rafter Types?

1. Centered Boxed Hip

This is the most common hip rafter used by Enduroframe licensees. Boxed Hip rafters are boxed sections that run along the entire hip line of the roof from the eave line to the apex point of the hip. A 50mm gap between a pair of hip rafters may be made to allow for a crown rafter to fit in between.

2. Veed Hip

Veed hip rafters are short v-shaped hip rafters made using standard sections (U, C, and Topspan 22) that run along the hip line over at least one truncated truss. They have four creeper rafters attached and are designed as left and right sections to facilitate nesting against the horn of the truncated truss. Can either be pre-made and kept in stock or made with the job when selected in ENDUROHUB®️.

3. Boxed Hip

The option has a boxed member which is offset from the hip line and is parallel with the hip face, with a secondary member on the roof face extending from the eave to the 1st station truncated truss.

4. Trussed Hip

Hip truss rafters are flush trusses constructed from the same sections as common rafters that run along the hip line from the eave to the first truncated truss.

More detailed information on all these hip types can be found at How to select rafters for your job, Hip Ends Types and Hip Rafters – ENDUROCADD Help – Confluence (atlassian.net)

enduroframe

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Wall Frames

Find out more

Benefits of self-certification

Find out more

Simplifying Tying Down Frames

Full process focus

Tying down frames

Eliminating brackets

Making installation and inspection easy

Find out more

A Simple and Elegant Solution for Shaping Curved Walls

Find out more

ENDUROHUB® Portal Update June 2024

Assembly Height added to Assemblies and BOM tabs

ⓘ The Height information visibility in ENDUROHUB® along with the width information would largely work as an alternative to Panel Stacker if explored to its full potential.

Hide Orders in the Order Screen

ⓘ Orders that are hidden are not deleted. To see any hidden jobs select the Show hidden jobs tickbox at the bottom of the Orders screen.

Fabrication Record Improvements

ⓘ The BOM tab is used to split an order’s parts into batches and sort parts into the sequence they will be rollformed.

Customised Assembly Rates

Rollformer shown in Order Screen

Strap bracing cutting lists now available for ENDUROBRACE machines

Short noggings can now be manufactured

Other features added to ENDUROHUB® in June 2024

At Enduroframe, we are focusing on expanding the capabilities of ENDUROHUB® beyond cutting lists and provide metrics to aid scheduling and allow reporting on manufacturing processes.

Challenges and Solutions in Constructing Hip Roofs with Light Gauge Steel

1. Locating holes for Truss to rafter connection

2. Truss connection details printed on wall top plate

3. Locating holes for tiedown bracket to truss/rafter connection

4. Folded tabs for truss/rafter to hip rafter connection

Why do we have many different ENDUROFRAME® hip options?

What are hip ends and hip rafters?

Which hip end and hip rafter should you use?

Hip End Types

Type 1 Hip End

Type 1A Hip End

Type 2 Hip End

Type 3 Hip End

What are the different Hip Rafter Types?

1. Centered Boxed Hip

2. Veed Hip

3. Boxed Hip

4. Trussed Hip

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