2024 SBCA Innovation Grant Winners

January 9, 2025

in SBCA Magazine,

View this article in the digital edition of SBCA Magazine.

Innovation in the Industry

Showcased on the 2024 BCMC show floor were the five winners of the 2024 SBCA Innovation Grant. Those five winners exhibited their innovations to over 1,800 attendees, providing great exposure and feedback for each of them. Over the course of the two-day show, attendees had the opportunity to speak with and learn from each of the finalists in their booths and cast their vote for who they believed should be named the SBCA Innovation Grant People’s Choice Solution for 2024. The winner was announced at the end of BCMC during Industry Celebration on Thursday, October 10, with attendees voting for Paragon’s D.A.N. software solution as the SBCA Innovation Grant People’s Choice Solution for 2024.

Congratulations to Paragon and the 2024 SBCA Innovation Grant Winners for these amazing accomplishments and honors. SBCA is happy to provide a space for innovators to share their ideas and forge ahead in their efforts.

Paragon D.A.N. (Design Automation Neural network), a cloud-based SaaS (software as a service) for wood trusses, offers fast, scalable, and flexible performance directly from any web browser, without manual installations or updates. With the software being accessible from any device via a web browser, the software’s performance is not limited by the device’s computing power, but rather relies on Paragon’s cloud servers for computationally intensive data processing. As the world’s first artificially intelligent truss design engine, Paragon D.A.N. automates the truss design process by using the power of the cloud to quickly find the most efficient design among the near infinite number of possible truss configurations.

MiTek: MiTek Truss Validator is the first web-based tool for verifying the suitability of wood and Posi-floor trusses for specific projects. Launched in 2024, it helps designers and engineers quickly assess truss applicability, improving efficiency and confidence in their specifications.

VIRTEK VISION: VIRTEK VISION’s Iris AI Panel Inspection System leverages AI and Machine Learning to enhance component inspections to Industry 4.0. Unlike traditional methods, Iris AI adapts and learns from millions of images, identifying anomalies in real-time and notifying operators with laser-guided precision. This system improves accuracy, reduces manual oversight, and streamlines inspections, enhancing product quality and operational efficiency.

CrowdBuild: TwinBuild LVM by CrowdBuild is an innovative estimating tool that uses advanced vision models to convert 2D floor plans into precise, whole-house quantity takeoffs. Due to the level of precision, the output not only can be used for preconstruction bids, but is able to serve as a “single source of truth” for the entire life cycle of the structure.

Q4US: Q4US’s Universal Truss Manager (UTM) streamlines truss design file management, enabling quick uploads, organized searches, and easy sharing with authorized personnel. It offers multiple viewing options, detailed truss information, and AI tools for strategic decision-making. UTM integrates with existing systems to enhance overall truss manufacturing processes.