Director's Message: Transforming the Way We Manage Quality

Unlock Efficiency and Accuracy with Digital QC

Digital QC is one of the most successful endeavors SBCA has embarked on. It transforms an incredibly tedious manual paper process that involved printing actual size joint details on vellum paper into a software driven solution that streamlines several steps in the process and creates a database of activity to compare performance over time. The best news is that it is available to SBCA members for no additional fee! If you are not already using Digital QC, I encourage you to contact SBCA staff immediately to get started.

What is Digital QC? 
It is a digital tool that walks users through a step-by-step approach to a ANSI/TPI 1 compliant QC inspection. Users export a QC file from their design software and import it into Digital QC. From there, the users receive truss specific information to compare specifications to actual measurements, actual lumber species and grades, and plate size, gauge, and type. It goes beyond a typical visual inspection and allows the user to perform a detailed inspection comparing specified plate location to actual, using Plate Placement and Tooth Count methods. Beyond this, it allows users to monitor individual plates for embedment accuracy and any rolled or ineffective teeth. 

Why Digital QC? 
The primary purpose of Digital QC, or any quality control tool, is to aid in ensuring that a product meets or exceeds quality standards and, ultimately, customer expectations. For any manufacturer embedding metal connector plates into lumber and calling it a truss, they must abide by the National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction, commonly referred to as ANSI/TPI 1. Provisions in ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3, require CMs to participate in an In-Plant Quality Assurance Program that meets minimum requirements for inspection frequency, sampling, and procedures as well as requiring an In-Plant Quality Control Manual. Ultimately, Digital QC is a tool that aids in the process to meet these requirements and allows component manufacturers (CMs) to perform to their stipulated conditions using ANSI/TPI 1 as a baseline. 

Where can CMs use Digital QC? 
Digital QC is available to all SBCA members who manufacture components in the United States and Canada. Currently, Digital QC supports output files for the following design software:

• Alpine
• Eagle Metal
• MiTek
• Simpson Strong-Tie

SBCA is actively engaged with additional design software providers and invites any companies developing software to contact SBCA staff for inclusion in the Digital QC software. To learn if your specific software version is supported, please visit: www.sbcacomponents.com/digqc-resources.

How can CMs use Digital QC?
If your company or location is not already using Digital QC, the first step is to reach out to SBCA staff to learn about hardware requirements and how to sign up for access to Digital QC. It’s important to note that CMs should continue their existing QC processes until they are fully operational with Digital QC. This ensures continuity within their written In-Plant QC Manual and ANSI/TPI 1 requirements.  

Beyond getting started, management and ownership should be fully engaged with Digital QC adoption. Top-down support ensures success, but it also offers the opportunity to learn how Digital QC reports can benefit day-to-day operations and monitor quality performance over time. Digital QC can point out training deficiencies among staff across set-up locations and shifts as well as serve as an early warning sign that equipment may be wearing out or require retooling. 

Digital QC usage offers a streamlined approach to IBC code-required third-party quality assurance audits. SBCA’s third-party QA provider, the Structural Building Components Research Institute (SBCRI), offers discounted services ($95/quarter vs. $190/quarter) to CM members who utilize Digital QC. This allows CMs to position themselves efficiently and economically for a successful implementation of a quality assurance program with modern quality control tools like Digital QC and a third-party audit service offered by SBCRI to meet code requirements and ensure they are performing as stipulated in their location-specific In-Plant QC Manual. 

To learn more about Digital QC, please visit www.sbcacomponents.com/quality-control-programs or reach out to SBCA staff at QC@sbcacomponents.com. We stand ready to help you through the decision-making process and help your location join over 400 other locations already taking advantage 
of SBCA’s Digital QC.  

Jess Lohse, Executive Director