Patent Publication Number: US-2006011074-A1

Title: Systems and methods for connecting truss connector plates to truss members

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This non-provisional application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. ______ entitled “Systems and Methods for Connecting Truss Connector Plates,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to systems and methods of connecting truss members. More particularly, this invention relates to reducing stress in truss members when truss connector plates are pressed, or rolled, into truss members.  
      Truss members are traditionally affixed together by truss connector plates. In this manner, truss connector plates may be utilized to form truss members into a variety of different structures. Truss connector plates are traditionally seated into truss members by a pressing or rolling system. Due to the physical attributes of the truss connector plates, a large amount of force is traditionally required to press, or roll, a truss connector plate into a truss member. Such a large force occasionally causes the truss member, that is passively receiving the force via the truss connector plate, to structurally fail (e.g., splinter or crack). It is therefore desirable to provide a system of affixing truss connector plates to truss members without introducing a large amount of stress, or strain, to the truss members.  
      One example of a prior art system that affixes truss connector plates to truss members is discussed in Wright U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,720 filed on Oct. 2, 1992 and entitled “Apparatus and Method of Manufacturing Wood Trusses” (hereinafter “Wright”). Wright includes two vibrators that reduce the amount of stress in the truss members when truss connector plates are affixed to the truss members.  
      Wright is deficient because two external vibrators are required to reduce the amount of stress. Wright is further deficient because constant vibrational forces are provided. Such constant vibrational forces constantly wear down the entire press, or rolling, system. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved reduced-stress system for affixing truss connector plates to truss members.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide reduced-stress pressing and rolling systems and methods for affixing truss connector plates to truss members.  
      It is also an object of the present invention to provide pressing and rolling systems and methods that are operable to provide vibrations of varying strength, and of varying duration, to a truss connector plate.  
      It is yet another object of the present invention provide autonomous pressing and rolling systems and methods for affixing truss connector plates to truss members.  
      A connecting system is provided with an affixing member that affixes truss connector plates to truss members. Such an affixing member may be, for example, a presser or a roller. Generally, the connecting system operates as follows. The affixing member is accelerated and stopped before coming into contact with a truss connector plate. Such an acceleration or deceleration of movement of the affixing member may cause the affixing member to vibrate. In this manner, vibrational energy may be stored in the affixing member. The vibrating affixing member may then be forced into a truss connector plate such that the truss connector plate receives a portion of the vibrational energy from the affixing manner. As a result, a vibrating truss connector plate is affixed to one or more truss members. A vibrating truss connector plate may be seated into a truss member with less force, and faster, than a truss connector plate that is not vibrating.  
      One or more processors may be provided to provide control signals to one or more connecting systems. Such processors may, for example, retrieve information from memory, or a database, and use this retrieved information to generate control signals to one or more connecting systems. Control signals provided to a connecting system may differ, for example, depending on the type of material of the truss member, the type of material of the truss connector plate, the dimensions of the truss member, the dimensions of the truss connector plate, or the characteristics of a particular connection system.  
      In this manner, the connecting system may, for example, accelerate the affixing member at a particular acceleration (or to a particular speed) and decelerate (or stop the movement of) the affixing member at a particular distance from the truss connector plate for a particular period of time depending on the control signals that the connecting system receives. Adjusting the characteristics and operation of such a connecting system may, for example, change the strength of the vibrations or the length of time that the affixing member vibrates. Accordingly, the vibrational profile of the affixing member may be changed. In this manner, particular vibrational profiles may be utilized for particular operations.  
      As in another embodiment, vibrational energy may be generated by an affixing member without stopping, or decelerating, that affixing member. Accelerating an affixing member may generate vibrational energy. In this manner, an affixing member may be suddenly accelerated such that vibrational energy is generated in the affixing member. For example, a roller may be suddenly accelerated to obtain vibrational energy and this vibrating roller may be utilized to affix a truss connector plate to one or more truss members.  
      At some point (e.g., after a sufficient vibrational energy has been generated) the affixing member may cease to accelerate (e.g., may be moved at a constant speed). Alternatively, at some point, the rate of acceleration may change such that the amount of vibrational energy generated by the affixing member is changed. Moreover, the velocity of an affixing member may be changed in order to realize a variety of useful functions. For example, the velocity of a roller may be changed before that roller contacts a truss connector plate (e.g., contacts a leading edge of a truss connector plate) such that a portion of the impact force is changed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of two truss connector plates constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a connecting system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a truss connecting process constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a truss connecting process constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a truss connecting system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a truss connecting process constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of manual controls constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows truss connector plate configuration  100  that includes truss connector plates  101  and  102 . Truss connector plates  101  and  102  may include any number of connector teeth  111  and  112 , respectively.  
      Truss connector plates  101  and  102  may be used, for example, to connect two truss members (not shown) together. Particularly, truss connector plate  101  may be affixed to one side of the two truss members and truss connector plate  102  may be affixed to the other side of the two truss members. Connecting multiple truss members together in different orientations may be utilized to realize a variety of different types of trusses. Truss members may be fabricated from, for example, a polymer, wood, or any other material used for building trusses or other structures. Truss connector plates  101  and  102  may be fabricated from, for example, steel, iron, copper, or any other metal or material (e.g., any material that is harder than the truss member layers being connected).  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the number, and size, of connector teeth  111  and  112  may be representative of the amount of force needed to affix a truss connector plate to a truss member. In this manner, a control system may provide different control signals to a truss connecting system depending on the characteristics of the teeth of a particular truss connector plate.  
       FIG. 2  shows truss member connecting system  200  that includes affixing member  201  located about platform  299 . Affixing member  201  may be used, for example, to press a truss connector plate into any number of truss members. Alternatively, affixing member  201  may be similar to affixing member  221 . Affixing member  221  may be used, for example, to roll a truss connector plate into any number of truss members. In this manner, affixing members  201  and  221  may be used to affix connector plate  263  to truss members  261  and  262 .  
      Affixing system  200  may operate as follows. Affixing member  201  may be accelerated to a particular speed. Affixing member  201  may then be stopped in such a way that affixing member  201  starts to vibrate. Next, affixing member  201  may be re-accelerated such that a vibrating affixing member  201  comes into contact with, for example, a truss connector plate positioned in the proximity of affixing member  201 .  
      Affixing member  201  may be moved in any direction. For example, affixing member  201  may be mounted on vertical movement member  202 . A hydraulic or actuator-based system, for example, may be utilized so that vertical movement member  202  may move affixing member  201  up and down. Affixing member  201  may also be mounted on horizontal movement member  203 . A hydraulic system or an actuator-based system, for example, may be utilized to allow horizontal movement member  203  to move laterally. For example, horizontal movement member  203  may be mounted to rail  204  such that member  203  may move along (e.g., parallel to) rail  204 .  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that affixing member  221  may similarly move about a rail. Such a rail may be moved vertically up or down, by a hydraulic or actuator-based system, such that affixing member  221  is provided with the freedom to move vertically.  
      The movement of the components of system  200  may be controlled by control signals provided by control circuitry. Such control circuitry may be provided, for example, locally on local control system  250 , or remotely on remote control system  251 . Control signals may be communicated throughout system  200  either directly or by wireless communications (e.g., satellite, cellular, PCS, infrared, wireless Ethernet, wireless USB, or radio communications). The control signals of system  200  are not limited to moving the components of system  200 . Instead, the control signals of system  200  may be any signal that is used, for example, to operate the connecting system in a particular manner or to retrieve operating data from the connecting system.  
      A control signal may represent, for example, a single command to perform a single action (e.g., a particular movement of a component). In more intricate embodiments, however, a control signal may represent multiple settings such as, for example, rate of acceleration, point where affixing member  201  stops, the time that affixing member  201  remains stopped, the vertical acceleration of affixing member  201  after a stop, or the stiffness of the platform supporting affixing member  201 . In this manner, a control signal may represent an entire affixing process or a portion of an affixing process.  
      Control signals may be generated manually or autonomously. Manual control signals may be entered, for example, into interfaces on systems  250  and/or  251 . Such interfaces may be, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) or electrical switches (e.g., switches  262 ). Alternatively, connecting system  200  may be controlled manually. For example, knob  281  may control the stiffness of structure  210  by tightening or loosening the connection between structure  210  and platform  299 . As per another embodiment, other forms of manual controls may be present. For example, a joystick and switches that control the operation of affixing member  201  may be utilized to operate affixing member  201  in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
      Remote database  257  may be utilized to store operational profiles. Such operational profiles may include one or more control signals (e.g., a series of control signals or a data structure storing multiple control signals) that may cause connecting system  200  to operate in a particular manner. Alternatively, an operational profile may include a control algorithm that operates, for example, a connecting system. Operational profiles may, for example, be flashed into memory located in the connecting system or a control system.  
      An operational profile may, for example, correspond to building a particular type of roof truss (e.g., a ten foot long bow-tie roof truss made from Oak truss members). Connecting system  200  may be configured to download any new operational profile from database  257  at a particular time (e.g., midnight) or retrieve particular operation profiles from database  257  when the operational profiles are requested (e.g., a ten foot long Oak bow-tie roof truss). Processor  260  may be utilized, for example, to provide control signals to affixing member  201  based on a particular operational profile.  
      Additionally, any actuator (or electric motor) of system  200  may, for example, be fabricated with an imbalance such that the actuator (or electric motor) vibrates when being operated. Accordingly, an imbalance in an actuator (or electric motor) moving affixing member  201  may cause affixing member  201  to vibrate when affixing member  201  is moved. Similarly, the actuator (or electric motor) that rolls affixing member  221  may be provided with an imbalance. Alternatively, affixing member  221  may be provided with an imbalance (e.g., different portions of affixing member  221  may be weighted differently).  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a sufficient amount of vibrational energy may be generated in an affixing member by a sudden acceleration of that affixing member. As a result, an affixing member does not have to be stopped, or decelerated in order to generate a sufficient amount of vibrational energy to affix a truss connector plate to one or more truss members with reduced-stress.  
      Generating vibrational energy in an affixing member generally means operating an affixing member in a particular way such that vibrational energy is introduced into that affixing member. In this manner, the phrase generating vibrational energy is not limited to the actual physical generation of vibrational energy in a component. For example, suppose that a motor inside of frame  210  operates the vertical movement of vertical movement member  202 . In turn, affixing member  201  is moved vertically. The vertical movement of affixing member  201  may initially cause, for example, frame  210  to vibrate. At least a portion of the vibrational energy of frame  210  may be, for example, introduced into affixing member  201  such that affixing member  201  vibrates. The vibrational energy of affixing member  201 , however, was introduced because of a particular operation of affixing member  201 . In this manner, the terms introduced and generated are synonymous throughout this application when referencing the creation of vibrational energy in a component (e.g., an affixing member). Similarly, any operation discussed in connection with affixing member  201  may be provided in connection with affixing member  221 .  
       FIG. 3  shows affixing process steps  300 ,  330 , and  360  which may be utilized to affix a truss connector plate to one or more truss members.  
      In process step  300 , affixing member  301  may be aligned with truss connector plate  309 . Additionally, truss connector plate  309  may be aligned with truss members  307  and  308 . Affixing member  301  may then be accelerated towards (or brought to a particular speed in the direction of) truss connector plate  309  (e.g., direction  305 ).  
      Turning next to process step  330 , affixing member  331  may be decelerated or stopped (e.g., with a force in direction  335 ) such that vibrational energy  341  is generated in affixing member  331 . The distance at which the deceleration occurs, the duration of the deceleration, and the magnitude of the acceleration of affixing member  331  may affect the vibrational profile of affixing member  331  when affixing member  331  contacts truss connector plate  339 .  
      In order for truss connector plate  339  to remain aligned with truss members  337  and  338 , truss connector plate  339  may be initially, but minimally, affixed to truss members  337  and  338 . Such a minimal affixing may be done manually (by the manual hammering of truss connector plate  339  into truss members  337  and  338 ). Alternatively, affixing member  331  may be utilized (e.g., without vibrational energy) to press truss connector plate  339  slightly (e.g., roughly 1-5 millimeters) into truss members  337  and  338 . As a result of a small, initial affixing of truss connector plate  339  to truss members  337  and  338 , the alignment of truss connector plate  339  with affixing member  331  may not change if, for example, an amount of vibrational energy  341  is introduced into the platform supporting truss members  337  and  338 . Truss members  337  and  338  may also be secured to, for example, the working platform (not shown) in order to maintain a particular alignment with affixing member  331 .  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that vibrational energy  341  may be generated in a variety of different ways. For example, affixing member  331  may be rapidly accelerated. This rapid change in motion, albeit an increase in overall speed, may generate vibrational energy  341  in affixing member  331 .  
      In process step  360 , affixing member  361  having vibrational energy/profile  371  may be moved in direction  365 . Thus, affixing member  361  may come into contact with connector plate  369  such that connector plate  369  attains a vibrational energy/profile representative of vibrational energy/profile  371 . Affixing member  361  may force truss connector plate  369  into truss members  367  and  368  until, for example, affixing member  361  is a particular distance from working platform  398  (e.g., the distance equal to the height of one of the truss members plus the height of truss connector plate  369  minus the height of the teeth of truss connector plate  369 ). The distance of affixing member  361  from the working platform may be determined, for example, by the amount that affixing member  361  has been extended from structure  399 .  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that process steps  300  and  330  are not needed to introduce vibrational energy into affixing member  361 . Affixing member  361  may only be accelerated/decelerated before contacting truss connector plate  369  such that vibrational energy is generated in affixing member  361 . For example, affixing member  361  may be suddenly accelerated from the start of movement to generate sufficient vibrational energy.  
      Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a connecting system may be generally modeled after a mass-spring system. Particularly, the components that move (e.g., vertical movement member  202  of  FIG. 2  and affixing member  201  of  FIG. 2 ) may be modeled as having a mass (m). Vertical movement member may act like a spring and have a particular stiffness (k). Accelerating vertical movement member  202  of  FIG. 2  at rate (a) may create a force (F) that is equal to (m)*(a). Such a force may stretch the spring (e.g., vertical movement member  202  of  FIG. 2 ) by a particular amplitude (A). When the spring (e.g., vertical movement member  202 ) stops accelerating (e.g., reaches and maintains a constant speed), force (F) is removed and the spring (e.g., vertical movement member  202  of  FIG. 2 ) may begin to oscillate. As can be seen, the process of accelerating and decelerating a component (e.g., a vertical member) may be equivalent to stretching out a spring with a mass connected to the spring&#39;s moveable end and then releasing the stretched-out spring. The mass may continue to oscillate with no external force acting on the mass.  
      Particular parameters may be adjusted in a connecting system in order to optimize the vibrations generated in an affixing member (e.g., generate a different vibrational profile). For example, the vibrational profile may be adjusted by adjusting the acceleration of a movement member (e.g., a vertical or horizontal movement member) and the affixing member. Alternatively, the vibrational profile may be adjusted by adjusting the stiffness of a movement member. Alternatively still, the vibrational profile may be adjusted by adjusting the mass of a movement member and/or the affixing member. Furthermore, the vibrational profile may be adjusted by actively, or passively, adjusting an imbalance in motors utilized to move the components of a connecting system. Also, adjusting the vertical height, or the linear speed, of rollers may also change the vibrational profile (as well as changing the impact force when the leading edge of a truss connector plate is contacted). As can be seen, there are a variety of ways to manipulate a vibrational profile without the need for dedicated vibration units.  
      A processor may be utilized to determine the vibrational profile needed to affix a particular truss connector plate to a particular truss member for a particular structure. Such a processor may also adjust (via control signals) characteristics of a truss connecting system such that a particular vibrational profile is obtained. In this manner a processor may determine what changes to the characteristics of a truss connecting system are needed to realize a particular vibrational profile. Such steps may also be performed manually.  
       FIG. 4  shows process steps  400 ,  430 , and  460  that may be utilized to affix a truss connector plate to one or more truss members. In process step  400 , affixing member  401  may be accelerated (or moved towards) truss connector plate  409 , and truss members  407  and  408 . Affixing member  401  may be moved a particular distance until the movement profile of affixing member  401  is changed in process step  430 . For example, affixing member  431  may be decelerated (or stopped for a particular amount of time) such that vibrational energy is generated in affixing member  431 . Next, a vibrating affixing member  431  may be moved toward truss connector plate  439  and truss members  437  and  438 . In process step  460 , a vibrating affixing member  461  comes into contact with truss connector plate  469  such that truss connector plate  469  obtains vibrational energy. As affixing member  461  moves across truss connector plate  469 , truss connector plate  469  is affixed to truss members  467  and  468 . As illustrated, affixing member  461  rolls over connector plate  469 .  
      One advantage of a rolling affixing member is that a rolling affixing member does not have to be stopped at a particular time—the rolling member simply rolls over the truss connector plate. In this manner, more than one truss connector plate may be affixed to truss members in a single roll. However, a rolling affixing member may have to be initially set-up to a particular height with respect to the working platform (e.g., a height substantially equal to the height of a truss member plus the height of the connector plate minus the height of the teeth of the connector plate).  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that process steps  400  and  430  are not needed to introduce vibrational energy into affixing member  461 . Affixing member  461  may only be accelerated/decelerated before contacting truss connector plate  469  such that vibrational energy is generated in affixing member  461 . For example, affixing member  461  may be suddenly accelerated from the start of movement to generate sufficient vibrational energy. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that affixing member  461 , if embodied as a roller, may continue to move in the same direction after, for example, truss connector plate  469  is affixed to truss members  467  and  468 .  
      Affixing member  461 , if embodied as a roller, may “roll” over truss connector plate  469  multiple times and in multiple directions. Affixing member  461  may “roll” over truss connector plate  469  at a first height from, for example, truss member  467 . Affixing member  461  may then “roll” over truss connector plate  469  a second time, in the opposite direction, at a second height from truss member  467  (e.g., a smaller height). For each “roll” across connector plate  469 , affixing member  461  may be operated to generate a vibrational energy in affixing member  461 . Similarly, affixing member  201  of  FIG. 200  may be “pressed” into a truss connector plate multiple times and at multiple heights.  
      Additionally, a force acting on affixing member  461  may be adjusted before affixing member  461  contacts the leading edge of truss connector plate  469 . Changing the speed of a roller before contact with a truss connector plate may, for example, change the characteristics of the impact force on that connector plate. In this manner, a truss connector plate may be more efficiently affixed to one or more truss members.  
       FIG. 5  shows connecting system  500  that includes two affixing members  501  and  502 . Affixing members  501  and  502  may be of a pressing configuration as illustrated or may, alternatively, be of a rolling configuration.  
      Connector plates  511  and  512  may be positioned and locked onto affixing members  501  and  502 , respectively. Locking truss connector plates to an affixing member may be done mechanically (e.g., by fasteners) or electrically (e.g., electrostatically or electromagnetically). In this manner, affixing members  501  and  502  may simultaneously affix connector plates to both sides of one or more truss members. Alternatively, affixing members  501  and  502  may take turns affixing connector plates to a side of one or more truss members.  
      Configuration  590  may be utilized to assist connecting system  500 . Particularly, aperture  595  may be included in platform  599 . Truss members  592  and  591  may be aligned and locked onto platform  599  such that the connection between truss members  592  and  591  is aligned with aperture  595 . In this manner, affixing member  501  may be aligned above aperture  595  while affixing member  502  may be aligned underneath aperture  595 . Truss members  592  and  591  may, for example, be locked mechanically (e.g., fasteners).  
      Each of affixing members  501  and  502  may be operated to generate a vibrational profile. In this manner, affixing members  501  may be decelerated or stopped before (or when) truss connector plates  511  and  512  come into contact with truss members such that truss connector plates  511  and  512  vibrate while being affixed.  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that truss connector plates  511  and  512  may already be initially affixed to truss members. By initially affixing connector plates to truss members, the connector plates may retain a particular alignment until fully affixed into the truss members.  
       FIG. 6  shows flow charts  600 ,  650 , and  680  that may be utilized to affix truss connector plates to truss members.  
      Flow chart  600  occurs as follows. The process starts at step  601  and forces an affixing member to move in step  602 . Next, the movement of the affixing member is changed (e.g., stopped) in step  603  such that vibrational energy is introduced in the affixing member. Then, step  605  occurs and a vibrating affixing member continue to move toward a truss connector plate. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that if deceleration occurs in step  603 , and the affixing member is moving when vibrational energy is introduced, then step  604  is not needed—the affixing member may just continue to move at, for example, the speed affixing member was moving when vibrational energy was introduced. After a truss connector plate is affixed to one or more truss members, the affixing member may be stopped in step  605 . Next, the affixing member may be retracted in step  606  such that a new affixing process may begin. Otherwise, the process may stop at step  607 .  
      Flow chart  650  may start at step  651 . At step  652 , the truss connecting system may wait for instructions. If instructions are received step  653  may be executed or step  652  may be repeated. In step  653 , the instructions are evaluated and the operation profile for the truss connecting system is retrieved, if needed, in step  654 . Person skilled in the art will appreciate that if the instructions are, for example, “move affixing member 10 inches” then an operation profile is not needed. However, if the instructions are “affix joint X of a bowtie roof truss made from maple truss members,” then the retrieval of an operational profile may be needed.  
      In steps  655  and  656 , the particular operating steps of an operating profile are executed in order. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that such operating steps may be contingent on other steps. For example, suppose an operating step is “move affixing member 10 inches.” The next operating step may be, for example, “confirm a 10 inch movement.” In this manner, the next operating step may be contingent on the answer to the operating step “confirm a 10 inch movement.” The process of affixing a truss connector plate to a truss member may be completed, for example, after an operational profile has been exhausted at step  657 .  
      Flow chart  680  may be utilized to operate an affixing member. Flow chart  680  begins at step  681 . In step  682 , the speed of the affixing member is changed such that vibrational energy is generated in the affixing member. The process may then continue into step  683  or may simply finish at step  685 . For example, if the affixing member is a roller then an additional roller movement may not be required, after a vibrational energy is generated, to properly affix a truss connector plate to one or more truss members.  
      If step  683  is included then the speed of the affixing member may be changed in step  684  when the affixing member contacts a truss connector plate or affixes a truss connector plate to a truss member. For example, if the affixing member is a presser, then the speed of the affixing member may be changed to zero after the truss connector plate has been affixed to a truss member. As per another example, if the affixing member is a roller, then the speed of the affixing member may be changed before, during, or after the affixing member contacts the leading edge of truss connector plate. Changing the speed of the roller before contact with a truss connector plate may, for example, change the characteristics of the impact force on that connector plate that may cause additional vibration of the affixing member. In this manner, a truss connector plate may be more efficiently affixed to one or more truss members. Changing the speed of a roller after the roller contacts a truss connector plate (e.g., after affixing) may, for example, allow the roller to obtain a vibrational energy so the roller may affix a second truss connector plate.  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the resonant frequencies (and associated harmonics) of a vibrating affixing member and connecting system may depend on the mass of the affixing member and the stiffness of the affixing member (or the structure supporting the affixing member). Similarly, the resonant frequencies of an affixing member may depend on other components of a connecting system such as, for example, the mass and stiffness of a movement member (e.g., a horizontal of a vertical movement member) that the affixing member is coupled to. In this manner, the resonant frequency may be the square root of the stiffness of the affixing member divided by the square root of the mass of the affixing member (harmonics may be integer multiples of the resonant frequency).  
      Turning now to  FIG. 7 , manual controls  700  are shown that include joystick  701  and buttons  751  and  752 . Such controls may be utilized to move any component of a truss connecting system (e.g., the components of truss connecting system  200  of  FIG. 2 ) or initiate any process (e.g., download/execute/select an operational profile).  
      Joystick  701  may be utilized to move a movement member, or an affixing member, in a particular direction. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that changing the velocity of a movement member, or an affixing member, may introduce vibrational energy into an affixing member. Accordingly, manual controls  700  may be configured to allow a user to not only control the direction of a component, but also the velocity of that component. Particularly, joystick  701  may be configured such that as joystick  701  is moved further away from resting location  702 , the velocity of that component changes. For example, a velocity may be associated with each joystick position such that a component is moved at one velocity when joystick  701  is at position  711 , but the component is moved at a different velocity when joystick  701  is at position  721 .  
      Alternatively, joystick  701  may be configured to operate similar to, for example, a throttle. Particularly, the movement of joystick  701  to the left of resting location  702  may accelerate the movement of a component, while movement of joystick  701  to the right of resting location  702  may decelerate the movement of that component. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple joysticks, in multiple configurations, may be utilized. For example, one joystick may be configured to control the direction of movement for a component while a different joystick may control the velocity, or acceleration, of that component.  
      Alternatively, buttons  751  and  752  may be utilized to change the acceleration, or the velocity, of a component being moved by a joystick. For example, button  751  may be utilized to increase the velocity of a component while button  752  may be utilized to decrease the velocity of a component.  
      From the foregoing description, persons skilled in the art will recognize that this invention provides vibrational energy in a truss connecting system. In addition, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the various configurations described herein may be combined without departing from the present invention. It will also be recognized that the invention may take many forms other than those disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed methods, systems and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to and modifications therefrom which are within the spirit of the following claims.