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Continuous Plating Automation, Built for Truss Plants.

Truss building is repetitive, physically demanding, and difficult to staff. The PrePlater handles it, selecting and pressing every plate to the correct location and orientation, at production speed, with consistent accuracy. Less reliance on manual labor. Fewer repetitive-stress injuries. A truss line that runs consistently.
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600+
PLATES PER HOUR
Verified throughput at production scale
4+
OUTFEED CONFIGURATIONS
Flexible delivery options to fit your plant layout
1
OPERATOR PER SHIFT
Quality check and line infeed

Fits Your Line.
Automates the Hard Part.

The PrePlater installs as a new front end to your existing line. It integrates with your build tables and feed conveyors, and installation is planned within a defined shutdown window so the rest of your operation stays intact.
  • Manages truss designs directly from MiTek and Alpine software
  • Selects the correct plate and presses it to the design-specified location on each board
  • Compatible with 2×3 through 2×12 lumber and all major nail plate manufacturers
  • Flexibility to back plate only or switch to top and bottom plates only

Confidence Before It Ships. Support After It's Running.

Every PrePlater goes through a Factory Acceptance Test at Sawtooth's facility in Nampa, where clients see their workcell in operation before it ships. After commissioning, remote diagnostics and shift-level reporting keep your team informed and minimize unplanned downtime.
  • ABB simulation confirms cycle times and layout before fabrication begins
  • Remote troubleshooting resolves most issues without waiting on a site visit
  • Shift-level reporting on run time, plate counts, and stoppage events
  • Annual support programs tailored to your operation

Choose the outfeed that fits you.

The PrePlater ships with a standard outfeed and three upgrade configurations. Each is designed for a different throughput target and plant layout. The right choice depends on your line speed, floor space, and how boards need to arrive at the assembly table.
  • Gravity Rollers: Included with every system. PrePlated boards exit the cell and stage for manual transfer to the assembly table.
  • Flex Outfeed: Adds an outfeed robot to extend the flexibility and availability of the line to maximize throughput.
  • Single Jig Buffer Outfeed: Dedicated conveyor outfeed supplies plated members to jig stations. Reduces wait time at the table and supports more organized board delivery.
  • Double Jig Buffer Outfeed: Extends the single buffer configuration with additional conveyor capacity and a lift. Built for high-volume operations running multiple jigs simultaneously.
  • Tailored Configurations: Sometimes your plant operations require something a bit unique. Sawtooth can tailor infeed or outfeed solutions to meet your needs.

Louws Truss

"The Sawtooth team has been excellent in helping us hit our goals and we're excited about building with them in the future."
BJ Louws, Louws Truss

Built for This Industry. By People Who Know It.

DESIGNED FROM EXPERIENCE
The Sawtooth engineering team has 20+ combined years of ABB robotics integration in truss manufacturing. The PrePlater's design, control architecture, and installation process reflect that directly. This isn't a general-purpose robot cell adapted for trusses. It was built for it.
END-TO-END OWNERSHIP
One partner from concept through commissioning, training, and long-term support. Sawtooth engineers design, build, and install every system. When something needs attention post-install, you're talking to the people who built it, not a support queue.
RIGHT-SIZED FOR YOUR OPERATION
The system has a defined footprint, a clear installation path, and no unnecessary overhead. You get capable automation configured for your plant, not a scaled-down enterprise system forced to fit.

See If the PrePlater Is Right for Your Line

We offer a free concept evaluation. No commitment, just a discussion on whether automation fits your operations.
REQUEST A CONCEPT EVALUATION
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Contact details

Address: Nampa, Idaho
Phone: +1 (208) 780 5000