Endurocadd updates

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

ENDUROHUB® Batching – Divide and Conquer!

ENDUROHUB® Batching - Divide and Conquer!

As manufacturing businesses grow, the cost savings that could be made by organizing manufacturing efforts grow. Methods that were once acceptable for smaller jobs become unmanageable in larger jobs (which are increasingly being undertaken by ENDUROFRAME licensees). This is where batching comes in.

One streamlining effort some licensees have chosen to pursue is to purchase additional rollforming equipment that is dedicated (for example) to truss components, and they also have corresponding downstream equipment such as truss fabrication tables.

This makes a lot of sense because the manufacturing cells can specialize in manufacturing trusses, and therefore truss fabrication itself becomes more efficient.

But in order for streamlining efforts such as this to turn into cost savings, a high level of organization is required to schedule production flows. Each manufacturing cell should be given what it needs in the optimal sequence and at the appropriate time, otherwise the potential efficiencies gained by specialized equipment can quickly erode away.

This is the fundamental purpose of Batching. It used to organize.

In the most simple terms, Batching is used to subdivide Orders into smaller “batches”, so that different parts of an Order can be manufactured:

  • On different machines,
  • At different times, or
  • In different sequences

It can also be used purely for organization purposes – e.g. some businesses prefer to divide an Order into Roof/Panel/Joist because it allows the scheduler to give simple verbal instructions to the Rollformer operator:

“Make the Roof now, we’ll do Panel and Joist tomorrow”

— scheduler

Without creating separate batches, the Rollformer operator has to make sense of this instruction from the schedule, and figure out which parts in a Cutting List should be rollformed and which should not.

What is a Batch?

A batch is a list of Parts. When an order is created, all parts are in a single “default” batch. But so as to better organize an Order you might choose to make additional batches and move Parts to them.

Each batch tell us:

  • Which parts are in the batch?
  • What sequence will parts within the batch be rollformed in?
  • On which Rollformer will those parts in the batch be made?

In the future, we may look at adding date/time scheduling to ENDUROHUB, so a batch would specify when parts would be made.

Common Uses

There are many scenarios where batching can be helpful. Some examples of where batching could be used:-

  1. You want to make all of the walls and floor joists for level 1 but not for level 2 as they do not need to be delivered until next week.
  2. You want to group all of the C90 1.0mm studs from a single job into a batch so they can be rollformed after another job that also has C90 1.0mm studs.
  3. You have several rollformers that are dedicated to manufacturing certain parts. For example; truss chords will be made on one machine, but webs will be made on another rollformer from longest to shortest.

(more…)

Version 11.01.21 Release Highlights

Version 11.01.21 Highlights

Performance

We are always looking for opportunities to speed up ENDUROCADD.

Here are three ways we have improved performance in this update:

We have reduced the number of times the job is saved during the Detail process.

The pdf export feature now excludes any items smaller than 0.5mm. If you usually have ‘wall components’ or dxfs shown in layouts you’ll notice a big improvement here.

We have also made a change to reduce the ImportV6.exe application’s CPU usage.

Job name length

New job names have always had a character limit of 12 characters. This is to avoid problems with printing on parts, HMI and ENDUROHUB compatibility. This character limit is now enforced in ENDUROCADD. If you try to open a job with a long name, a popup will prompt you to rename the job folder or zip file to a shorter name first. The easiest way to do this is via the job manager. Right-click on the job and select Rename.

Job manager can shorten file names

Sketchfab

Due to the increasing usage of Sketchfab by licensees we have now automated the process to output files from the ENDUROCADD® software directly into Sketchfab. The output file is optimised for Sketchfab, and automatically uploaded into Sketchfab.

Notification Board

To make it quicker to navigate to design manuals, we have added a new tab to the notification board. All of the relevant design manuals are now available in the Notification board so with a single click you can go to the relevant manual.

Levels Improvements

Copy Level to RL

The first stage of the Copy Level enhancement is complete. See EE-61 Copy Level, Walls, Openings, and Floor Properties . Speed up detailing of multi-level jobs with identical walls by using this feature to copy walls, panels and floor blocks to a new level at a set height.

Mirror progress

Gable ladders and panels now mirror with a job (mirror about an edge). Mirroring truss restraints, outriggers and ceiling bracing with a job is still in progress.

Walls New Features

Openings

‘Head height’ is renamed to ‘Stud opening head height’ in the Opening properties window.

Service holes

If you space Service Holes 150mm apart, the PSH (pair of service holes) NC data code is used instead of two SH codes. This works both for service holes added via the Wall editor or built using Wall detailing options.

Front/back studs

F and B indicators show which way studs flipped to front/back are facing in the Wall Editor and in Wall fabrication sheets.

 

Auto tiedowns in wall editor

There are a number of improvements to tiedowns in the wall editor which add more functionality to Auto tiedowns after the wall is built.

Tiedown type (anchor bolts etc):

  • Add or change tiedown type parts via the stud or stud tiedown right-click menu.

  • Tiedown type parts are deleted when their parent tiedown is deleted.

  • Tiedown type parts are flipped when their parent tiedown is flipped.

  • Tiedown types parts now move when their parent studs are moved.

Bracing stud tiedowns:

  • Bracing stud auto tiedowns are built when bracing is added. This works for all bracing – strap bracing, K bracing and panel bracing.

  • Jamb stud tiedowns are no longer superseded by bracing stud tiedowns when bracing is attached to jamb studs.

If you’ve been hesitating to use Auto tiedown configurations in you’re detailing process, now is a great time to start!

Refresh your memory at this page, Specifying auto tiedown configurations

Webbed walls

All diagonal members in Webbed walls are now the same length.

Webbed walls recognise Roof void blocks, ceiling blocks, and beams/walls as void blocks, although you might want to tweak by adding diagonal studs or removing additional vertical studs.

Panels

When you change a panel’s detailing option, it will now rebuild immediately.

Previously used panel detailing options are used by default when inserting new panels.

When adding a panel to a plane, there is a prompt to select whether to build the panel above or below the selected plane.

Floors New Features

Deflection Checks

There has been a change in floor joist deflection checks which have been brought in line with the NASH standard requirements and are slightly less stringent which, in turn, will improve spans of some floor joist configurations.

Loads of balcony zones also appear on the User Load Layouts floor certification sheets along with other user applied loads.

For a full list of release notes go to the ENDUROCADD Help System.

New Installation Details

Type 2 Hip End Installation Detail available for download

Find out more about the benefits of the ENDUROCADD® software

The ENDUROCADD® software is rich in features to automate the design of light gauge steel buildings.

Find out more

ENDUROGRIP Truss and Rafter Tiedowns

ENDUROGRIP Truss and Rafter Tiedowns

The ENDUROGRIP bracket was developed in response to customer feedback to develop a bracket that was easy to locate on both trusses and rafters. In addition, they sit exactly where they are supposed to on wall frames.
 
This removes all guessing and provides many benefits including knowing where the bracket goes relative to stiffening screws. Speed up fabrication and installation times using this easy-to-implement bracket.

Find out more about the benefits of building with the ENDUROFRAME® Building System

Find out why more builders are using the ENDUROFRAME® building system.

Find out more

Reduce ENDUROTRUSS® Roof Truss Costs

Reduce Truss Costs with ENDUROCADD® Truss Statistics

Many framing licensees are looking for a way to reduce their roof truss costs. The ENDUROFRAME® system has many ways to reduce the cost of roof trusses which we talk about here.

We have been really pleased to see the uptake of this function since it was released. In case you missed it, I am pleased to provide the details again. 

 
There are many ways a detailer can reduce the cost of a truss: adjust the number of webs, change the truss spacing, to name a few. Even adjusting the truss gauge can make a big difference. Sometimes increasing the truss gauge can reduce the cost because it reduces the number of screws and amount of boxing. Getting the selections right can reduce the manufactured costs of some trusses by up to 50%.
 
There is no ‘one size fits all solution’ as material, labour, and accessory costs vary depending on where in the world a fabricator is located.
 
The ENDUROCADD® software includes a new feature to see what the cost of each truss is, and how it changes with each edit. Users can insert their own material and fabrication labour costs to see what truss configuration provides the lowest cost when editing the truss.
 
The weight and cost of a truss is shown in the web editor menu and is updated with each design iteration so it is possible to see if changes increase or decrease the truss cost.
 
In addition to material costs which are entered in the Partdatauser spreadsheet, rollforming and fabrication labour costs can be included in the Fabrication window. You can get a good indication of which truss configurations optimise costs based on your own specific input costs.

Find out more about the ENDUROCADD® software at this link.

Watch the video below for more information on how to reduce truss costs.

Find out more about the benefits of the ENDUROCADD® software

The ENDUROCADD® software is rich in features to automate the design of light gauge steel buildings.

Find out more

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