There are variances as to how users may apply lumber and ply cleating. Internationally, most written standards generally apply cleats similarly which Crate Pro assumes when determining cleating. The standards assume a certain application method which is designed to provide the greatest strength to each panel and to each panel assembled to others. What may seem to be a small difference in as the how/where a material is applied can greatly reduce the strength of the crate.



When your support cleat rules (as opposed to Framing Cleats) are 'Vertical First' and/or 'Horizontal First', based on the dimension of the crate, the leading support cleat will be calculated without breaks. Additional support cleats , middle and trailing, in the opposing direction are placed on either side of the leading support cleat.




RULES AND PANEL CLEATING





More on Leading - Middle - Trailing Cleats


When the rules are run for support cleats, Crate Pro looks at your dimensions, your selected materials, which rule is selected and your preference settings for calculating the direction and number of cleats.. When a Vertical or Horizontal FIRST rule is in place the following may occur based on the above information.

  • Leading support cleats are placed in the direction based on your selected support cleat which is your First / Rest rule which also dictates the distance between the support cleats
  •  In the image below the selected support cleat rule is Vertical First with the first support cleat placed when there is minimum 30" between the framing cleats. The rest rule applies additional support cleats when after placing the first support cleat, there is still 24" between the cleats.
  • Based on the support rule and panel dimensions, horizontal cleats will be applied on both sides of the verticals. Crate Pro will calculate first the maximum number of same sized middle cleats possible. The length of the middle cleats is based on your First / Rest values which determine the spacing between the verticals.
  • Because of your First/Rest rule, size of the panel and the dims of the cleating material being used, there may be a gap that's a different size. Support cleats for these gaps are typically placed at the beginning and end of the panel. . 
  • If there is a remaining gap(s), a leading and/or trailing cleat will be calculated. The leading support cleat is typically placed at the beginning of the panel and the trailing at the end.