Endurocadd updates

ENDUROCADD® Software update October 2023

ENDUROCADD® Software Update October 2023

We are excited to release the latest version of the ENDUROCADD® and ENDUROCADD® NX Software! Read on to learn about Hip Type 3, staggered noggings and more new features for detailing ENDUROFRAME® Building System light gauge steel frames.

Hip Type 3

The Hip Type 3 is the biggest building feature we have added to the ENDUROCADD®️ software in a few years with several benefits over alternative hip end options:

  • It is suitable for low pitched roofs less than 8 degrees.
  • It ensures that all the trusses in the hip end are properly designed and verified, and that all the tiedowns connecting them are adequate.
  • It features bent tab connections, tabs that can be folded to attach trusses to girder trusses, making installation easy and fast. The tabs have been extensively tested at a NATA-accredited laboratory to determine their strength and performance.
  • The Hip Type 3 can accommodate raised heel heights, which are ideal for situations where extra truss strength is needed.
  • It is the only hip option which allows box gutters to run around multiple roof faces.
  • It is the most similar to timber trusses, which makes it easier for installers to adapt to light gauge steel.
  • The hip girder truss is centred on the hip line which is preferred by many roof installers.

Find out more about Hip Type 3 at the introduction page here
ENDUROFRAME® Help Centre login required

Staggered noggings

Traditionally, studs in ENDUROWALL® panels are threaded through the web notches in continuous noggings. The benefit of continuous noggings is that they are rolled in a single part and require fewer screws to connect to studs.

Fabrication of wall panels may be sped up and automated if studs do not need to be slid through continuous noggings. By breaking noggings down into sections that can fit between studs they can potentially be installed last after the rest of the frame has been assembled (in a vertical axis) which removes a lot of the access issues screwing in the middle of the frame which can be difficult to reach.

Look for the new checkbox for Staggered noggings in Wall Detailing Options in the ENDUROCADD® Software.

Improved NC-Data Errors & Warnings

We’ve revised the way NC-Data Errors and Warnings are communicated after feedback from both ENDUROCADD® Software detailing frames and ENDUROHUB® Portal users who generate cutting lists for ENDURO® Rollformers.

NC-Data Errors must be fixed by detailers before a job is released to manufacture. If Errors are not resolved there may be delays in production because ENDUROHUB® will not allow cutting lists to be generated in order to avoid rollformer damage or jamming of parts in the rollformer. 

If the Error is caused by ENDUROCADD® Software rather than a detailing decision, please report the issue. Especially if the error cannot be resolved by editing parts in the wall/panel editor or truss editor.

Jobs with NC-Data Warnings are allowed to be rolled. The intent of Warnings is to flag to detailers that they should probably fix them to avoid minor assembly issues.

A modified message box now appears highlighting any errors to the detailer to show what must be fixed before a job is submitted to manufacture. This message box can also be brought up in the Options menu even after a job has been detailed.

Ancillary list with product codes for ERP systems

An often-overlooked aspect of detailing is creating comprehensive lists of ancillary parts which need to be delivered to site. This is often an additional process to work out what ancillary parts are required, adding them into an ERP system, and generating lists that can be provided to a storeman to pick from. ENDUROCADD®️ makes this process much simpler with much of the process automated.

Using the Order Parts feature, it is possible to use formulas to calculate the quantities of ancillaries. This release of ENDUROCADD®️ has fixed a number of issues so that user-defined part codes that may be used in an ERP system can be selected in the partdatauser.xlsx file and added against all parts in the Materials Usage Markup Report.

We have added standard Ancillary lists into ENDUROHUB®️ so checklists of parts can be generated and printed out to enable parts to be selected for delivery.

Show/hide user loads in Truss Editor

In the Truss Editor, you can now easily check loads that have been applied to the truss by typing Ctrl+L or go through the Show Menu.

User loads are shown in a table with numbers on the truss corresponding to each row.

How to install ENDUROCADD® Software updates

Click through to the ENDUROCADD® Software release notes for further information on new features and instructions on how to install the updates:

ENDUROFRAME® Help Centre login required

Speak with a Framing Expert

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Next Generation of ENDUROCADD® Steel Frame Software Released

Next Generation of ENDUROCADD® Steel Frame Software Released

Efficient Light Gauge Steel Frame Design Software

A core component of the ENDUROFRAME® Building System is the ENDUROCADD® steel frame software package to design light gauge steel frames. The ENDUROCADD® software package works seamlessly with ENDURO® rollformers to make roof trusses, wall frames, and floor joists. It complies with the applicable Australian standards for the design of light gauge steel frames. Also, it even self-certifies frames in accordance with the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software.

The ENDUROCADD® software designs light gauge steel frames for use in residential, light commercial, modular, and even industrial buildings. It provides structural calculations on roof trusses, floor trusses, connections and wall bracing. The ENDUROCADD® software prepares drawings for the fabrication and installation of frames, and even provides detailed costings.

From November 2021, the ENDUROCADD® software incorporates a powerful CAD engine developed by the Intellicad Technology Consortium. This provides full 3D visualisation of the light gauge steel model, and produces detailed site drawings to show how to install the ENDUROFRAME® system. This new CAD engine will be progressively expanded to provide even more functionality over the next few months.

Find out more about the ENDUROCADD® software package at https://enduroframe.com/endurocadd_software/.

Endurocadd screen shot
ENDUROCADD NX Layouts screen

An ENDUROCADD software license provides you with a one year annual subscription which includes access to the software application, extensive online design manuals, a comprehenisve library of construction details, and our online training system, Endurocademy.

Click here to purchase an ENDUROCADD® software license.

How sophisticated testing leads to cost-effective steel trusses

How sophisticated testing and engineering leads to cost-effective light gauge steel trusses

A common misconception is that all light gauge steel roof trusses spanning the same distance and with the same loads use the same amount of steel. This is not true. Smart research and development in trusses and sophisticated software can provide reductions in steel usage of up to 50% compared to less efficient light gauge steel trusses.

The ENDUROCADD® design software has been developed over 20 years as a design tool for the ENDUROTRUSS® system, a key component of the ENDUROFRAME® building system.  Over this period the system has responded to changes in building construction, design standards and regulatory requirements.

The foundation of this success is a commitment to extensive testing of truss connections and entire roof truss assemblies at our state-of-the-art NATA-accredited laboratory in western Sydney. All truss connections are tested in compliance with AS4600: Cold formed steel structures. Once the results have been verified the data is fed into our ENDUROCADD® software to provide efficient steel truss designs.

Putting our testing to the test

We are so confident in our testing that a decade ago we put forward the ENDUROCADD® software to be used as a test case for the drafting of the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software. This was a huge deal for our customers because under this Protocol, trained software users of compliant software applications are permitted to design and sign-off buildings that fall within the Protocol scope. Compliance with the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software means expensive and time-consuming engineering approvals can be avoided

The ABCB Protocol for Structural Software requires independent verification from a third party to ensure that software calculations comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian design standards. Swinburne University provides independently checks that the ENDUROCADD® software complies with the Protocol.

Working with the benefits of extensive testing

When you use the ENDUROCADD® software, you are presented with intuitive truss design functions that test every load case defined in the loading standards. The ENDUROCADD® software runs design and analysis for all members and connections which, in a typical truss, will be 112 load cases. This ensures that all required load conditions are considered and provides confidence that trusses are structurally sound.

 

When your job is complete, you can view detailed connection drawings that show required screw types and their installation locations. Even better, when truss components are produced the number of screws required at each chord-to-web and chord-to-chord connection is inkjet marked on the parts. This avoids any confusion during assembly.

There are many connection options which include multiples of screws and different types of gusset plates to vary the connection capacity.  As there are about 2000 different connections, a summary sheet of the connections required for a specific job are generated for easy truss assembly.

We believe the number of truss connections is the most of any light gauge steel framing system. This reduces the chance that connections are the determining factor in the truss strength and performance. In turn, this increases the cost effectiveness of the truss system. It is always cheaper to increase the capacity of a connection with a few screws than it is to increase the gauge of steel used in the entire roof truss.

Boxing Saving Costs

Boxing is another way the ENDUROCADD® software helps you reinforce truss chords and webs just where additional strength is required without increasing the overall truss gauge. Boxing is inserted on the reverse side of the truss to the webs and is precisely positioned where required to resist loads. In the diagram above, the darker section demonstrates the sections of truss chords that are boxed. In many cases chord boxing does not need to extend along the entire length of the chord. The boxing part is manufactured together with the truss and, unlike in-plane trusses, the boxing can extend across multiple sections of chords and webs. Pre-punched holes assist with the location of boxing on truss chords.

We’ve created a set of posters showing the assembly details for roof trusses. Sticking these up in your factory is a great way to keep everyone on the same page. See ENDUROTRUSS® fabrication posters.

Find out more about how the ENDUROFRAME® system reduces truss costs here.

For drawings and photographs that clarify truss construction, please read the ENDUROTRUSS® installation manual. See ENDUROTRUSS® Roofing System Installation manual.

Looking To Reduce Your Steel Truss Costs? Here’s How.​

Five ways to check whether your steel truss system is costing you too much

Light gauge steel trusses can be created using a wide variety of proprietary systems and a common assumption is that all the trusses created using these systems cost the same. This is rarely the case. In fact, trusses designed with less-efficient systems can cost up to twice the amount of trusses designed with more efficient systems.

The cost of a truss is determined by the following variables:

  1. steel cost (including the amount of steel and the unit cost of the steel)

  2. cost of the connections used in the truss

  3. labour costs to design, manufacture, assemble and install the trusses.

However, since truss systems use different truss profiles and connections (which may be screws, bolts, rivets, or sometimes even proprietary methods), it can be difficult to determine whether the trusses designed using your system are costing too much. Here are five things to check for to see if your truss system is costing you too much.

Number 1: Do the steel trusses have a high web density?

Web density is the number of webs that need to be put into a truss to make it structurally sound. Weaker truss systems require more webs to strengthen the truss, and more webs means more steel, more connections and more labour to assemble the trusses. The web density can be affected by the strength of the sections used in the truss webs and chords, whether the chords are used in their strong or weak axis and the strength of the connections used in the truss. Depending on the truss span, a truss that has twice the web density as another truss in a 22.5 degree roof will require approximately 30% more steel.

Truss with low web density
Truss with high web density

Number 2: Do the steel trusses use a thick gauge of steel?

Standard gauges of steel used in trusses are 0.55 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm or even thicker. There are many factors that can drive the gauge of steel used in trusses. A thicker gauge of steel may be required either because a section of the truss or even a single connection fails.

As intermediate gauges of steel are not readily available, an increase from 0.75mm to 1.0mm means 33% more steel is required when keeping the same web patterns.

The factors mentioned above that drive web density can also determine the gauge of steel required. Even using one gauge of steel in the chords and another in the webs can make a large difference.

Number 3: Do the steel trusses support multiple connection options?

Different light gauge steel truss systems use different types of connections. Connections can be screws, bolts or even specialist rivets, and may also include stiffening gusset plates. It is important to easily and cost-effectively scale connections with loads. The truss system should have cheap connection methods for connections with small loads, but also options for much stronger connections where the the load is higher.

You can find out more about how testing reduces truss costs here.

Having only one type of connection (e.g. two screws or a bolt per connection) can be problematic. If the load is very light, an over-designed connection can increase the cost of the truss. Conversely, not having higher capacity connection options can mean trusses fail due to single connections that are just not strong enough. This scenario may mean that thicker gauge chords and/or webs are required to get the truss to pass.

In this example, you can see multiple engineered connections being used on this truss.

Number 4: Can saddle trusses on girders be easily replaced with trusses following the roof shape?

Where roofs are not rectangular and valleys are required, there are two main ways to construct the roof: 

  • a girder truss with a second layer of saddle trusses sitting on top of the girder truss (it may also include a layer or rafters to support the saddle)
  • roof trusses that follow the shape of the roof.

Using saddle trusses on girder trusses doubles-up the amount of material (in the main trusses and the saddle trusses and any additional rafters). This also increases installation time because installers need to lay out both the main trusses and the saddle trusses.

Trusses that follow the roof shape have a more complex shape, but they use much less material. Additionally, installation time is lower because only the main roof trusses need to be laid out. Unlike timber trusses, which may require extensive jig setups to achieve complex truss shapes, light gauge steel trusses are self-jigging through the alignment of chords and webs with pre-punched locating holes.

Example of roof with saddle trusses

Example of roof with trusses that follow the roof line

Number 5: Is truss pre-cambering supported?

Roof trusses need to withstand a variety of loads. One of the largest loads that a roof truss needs to withstand are loads from the roofing (in particular, tile roofing) and other equipment that may be incorporated in the roof. These loads do not vary over time and are referred to as ‘dead’ loads. When dead loads are applied to trusses they cause the truss to deflect. This means the truss must be designed to be stiff enough to not only deflect within allowable limits for dead loads, but also other loads as well. 

Truss A below shows what a standard A truss looks like deflecting under dead load.

Pre-cambering roof trusses is done by calculating the amount the truss deflects under dead loads and then shortening the truss webs so the bottom chord is cambered upwards – ‘pre-cambered’ – when it is manufactured. Truss B shows what a pre-cambered standard A truss looks like before any loads are applied. Truss C shows what a pre-cambered truss looks like after dead loads have been applied.

While it can be complicated to calculate, pre-cambering trusses is a relatively simple and cost-effective feature to incorporate into light gauge steel trusses which self-jig the truss shape.

ENDUROCADD® Release V11.01.32 Release Highlights

Overview of Updates in ENDUROCADD® Software V11.01.32

ENDUROCADD® Software Release V11.01.32 comes with many highly sought after features. This new release comes free to ENDUROCADD® software licensees and can be downloaded by clicking on the Options >> Update.

Changes to Trusses

Centered Boxed Hip Rafters Added

A new style of boxed hip rafters has been added with many new features. This feature can be selected in the roof construction menu and there are details available for download to provide to site to show how to install from this link.

Boxed hip rafter U notch

There is now a notch in the U section of boxed hip rafters to make it easier to position the boxed hip rafter against truncated truss horns.

Truss hip rafter heel height

Hip truss heel height now matches the heel height of the roof block.

Broken hip options

There are now different options for broken hips in the Roof construction window.

The default option is Boxed to keep it consistent with older jobs.

Truss differential deflection check

New check for Differential Deflection between Bottom Chords of adjacent trusses (or) between Internal Truss and Gable end. Maximum allowable value is Nominal truss spacing /150 or 4 mm whichever is less.

This check is not included in truss certifications (yet). Have a go and let us know what you think.

Changes to Floors

Floor joist end chords

End chords for None intermediate floors will not be built as wall parts anymore. End chords for floor joists are now built in the floor joist when the supporting wall’s intermediate wall detailing options are set to None.

End chords will also be built in joists supported by Wall Others. 

Need to update floor joist end chords? Follow this tutorial, Update identical floor joist end chords.

Changes to Walls

Bottom plate uplift calculation

In v11.01.32, the Uplift reactions on the bottom plate in the ENDUROCADD® software has been improved to ensure that there is clarity around how uplift values are calculated and consistency between the uplift values and the location and type of tie down that is applied at stud locations in bottom plates.

General

Sample jobs and detailing options

There are now sample jobs and detailing options included in the ENDUROCADD® software.

These sample jobs act as a reference for future jobs and are especially useful for new licensees to see detailing options and auto-opening and auto-tiedown options pre-configured.

System settings popup at update/install

When you install/update ENDUROCADD, the settings window will popup. provides an opportunity to review system settings before starting a new job.

If no changes need to be made, please click Cancel.

Sketchfab axes fixed

Sketchfab models are now uploaded the right way up. No need to edit axes before publishing the model.

The Sketchfab login settings that ENDUROCADD requires have been simplified too. You now only need to enter your Sketchfab API token.

Job variables

New and updated job variables:

V67

WALL

Walls, Load-bearing, Area of NEW

New job variables for ENDUROWALL and SUPRAFRAME walls only. Raked areas are calculated correctly and opening areas are included. These are the same values reported in job header sheets.

V68

WALL

Walls, Non-load-bearing, Area of NEW

V100

ROOF

Sloping area of roof UPDATED

Includes Outrigger and Gable ladder faces. Faces also counted in Statistics.

V102

ROOF

Plan area of roof UPDATED

Saddle areas are no longer counted.

V105

ROOF

Length of gables COMING SOON

This is the length of the roof along gables including dutch gables and dormers, including eave blocks.

V106

ROOF

Length of valley lines NEW

This reports the total length of valley lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

V107

ROOF

Number of valley lines NEW

This reports the total number of valley lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

V108

ROOF

Length of hip lines NEW

This variable reports the total length of hip lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

Note, this variable is different to V87 which reports the total length of individual hip rafter parts.

V109

ROOF

Number of hip lines NEW

This variable reports the total number of hip lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

Note, this variable is different to V88 which reports the total number of individual hip rafter parts.

V110

ROOF

Length of ridge lines NEW

This reports the total number of ridge lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

V111

ROOF

Number of ridge lines NEW

This variable reports the total number of ridge lines in roof blocks, including eave blocks.

View which lines are counted in the new roof shape job variables via Roof shape menu > View > Roof lines.

Plus, many many more exciting features! Find out more about the ENDUROCADD software.

ENDUROHUB Version 3 is here!

ENDUROHUB® Version 3 is here!

Hi everyone!

We’ve just released Version 3 of ENDUROHUB®, and with it comes some major behind-the-scenes improvements.

It might not seem like much has changed, but we’ve been working incredibly hard to bring you major improvements. These make ENDUROHUB® more reliable, faster and easier to use than ever!

As always, we’d love to hear from you about what you think of these ENDUROHUB® updates.

Here are some of the highlights…

Daily Automated Testing

We’ve implemented a daily automated testing routine that allows us to check if there are any issues that could affect production. To do this, we use a technique we like to call “Gold-Copy” testing.

In a nutshell, we create Orders using ENDUROHUB®, and generate the output Cutting Lists. We manually check and verify Cutting Lists, and if they are OK, make them “Gold-Copies”. The logic is that if we re-create the Cutting List, it should be exactly the same as this “Gold-Copy”.

The system will automatically notify ENDUROFRAME and tell us what the difference is so we can check if there is a problem (which greatly reduces the amount of time we need to identify the problem and fix it).

These tests run once per day, which means you can be more confident that we are proactively finding problems with ENDUROHUB®, rather than waiting for a problem to occur in production.

Automation for Split By Batches

Batches has had several improvements made since its inception, one of which being the ability to “Split” batches by Level, Zone, or ProductCode. Some batching requirements are better suited to splitting rather than filtering such as the below:

Automation takes advantage of Batches, and with this release, now has the ability to automate SplitBy batches!

Find out more on Batching here: https://enduroframe.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ER/pages/1463091212/ENDUROHUB+-+Batching

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process because it requires that you both know your password, but also have your access to your mobile phone. We have added this feature to keep your very important and valuable manufacturing data secure.

 

We’ve enabled 2FA for authenticator apps such as Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, among others.

We strongly recommend this security feature to all ENDUROHUB® users.

Upgraded ActiveReportsJS to v2.1

Our custom reporting solution makes use of ActiveReportsJS, and we have upgraded to its most recent version – see the Release Notes here: https://www.grapecity.com/blogs/whats-new-in-activereportsjs-2-1

With this feature you can develop your own great looking reports and directly print them from ENDUROHUB®.

Upgraded Application Framework

We build ENDUROHUB® using other software commonly used on the web. This makes it easier to bring more wonderful feature to you.

Those who look closely will see that ENDUROHUB® has a refreshed look and feel, and there are improvements in processing time.

Find out more here: https://docs.aspnetzero.com/en/aspnet-core-angular/latest/Change-Logs#10-2-0-2021-01-29

Other Improvements

We’ve also made countless behind-the-scenes improvements that will add to the reliability, performance and good experience.

How do I get ENDUROHUB?

Lodge a support ticket to our help system by clicking this link: https://enduroframe.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/group/5/create/31

At this link provide your first and last name, email address, phone number, and the company you work for.

What do I need to do to upgrade to ENDUROHUB v3?

Nothing at all. If you’re using ENDUROHUB already, its been updated for you.

Where can I found out more?

You can browse the videos and tutorials and other help content here: https://enduroframe.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ER/pages/772243546/ENDUROHUB. You can contact us to help you with a specific question: https://enduroframe.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/group/5/create/31

Speak to an expert about how to get started making the ENDUROFRAME® system. Insert your details below and we will call you back.