(Back row), Troy, Jody Wilmes of Thermwood, Kenny and Michael (front row) of Bednark Studio in Brooklyn, NY with their new Thermwood Cut Ready Cut Center at their shop.

Cody, John, Christina and Alberto of ‪‎Arkansas Wood Doors‬ in Pottsville, AR with their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Donovan Mumma of Byrne Custom Woodworking‬ in Lenexa, KS with Jody Wilmes of Thermwood and their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Thermwood's Award Winning Cut Ready Cut Center is an all-new alternative to traditional CNC routers for making custom cabinets and furniture with NO programming.  

Here we present a short video featuring John Allan of Arkansas Wood Doors in Pottsville, AR as he discusses his new Cut Center and what the machine is going to do for his business.

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Cody, John, Christina and Alberto of ‪‎Arkansas Wood Doors‬ with their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Programming Required?

Every CNC router, regardless of price, has one thing in common..it must be programmed. You will need a CNC programmer. A typical CNC programmer will cost you more each month than the payment on a Thermwood Cut Center, which does not need CNC programs or CNC programmers.

So, even if a machine was FREE, it would still cost you more than a Thermwood Cut Center, and in a few years the Cut Center payments go away while your programmer costs most likely will go up. 

I'll Program it Myself

Good luck! CNC routers require a constant stream of programs to run. Solving problems, like damaged or scrapped parts or defects in material means even more CNC programs. Programming custom cabinets on a CNC router is a full time job….good thing you have nothing else to do! 

And then there’s software. Cheap cabinet software is limited and difficult. It takes more time which means more money. Really good software can cost as much, or more than your cheap router.

And there’s scrap. You will have one or more partial sheets left from each job. Regardless of what they tell you, it is so difficult, complex and expensive to add this to new jobs that virtually everyone just throws it away. With the Cut Center, you just scan the label on any extra material lying around and it is added to the job, automatically. This can mean a lot of money saved at the end of the year. 

Get Into Production Quickly

Also, it is likely you will be in full production with a Thermwood Cut Center in about a half a day. A CNC router can take as much as six months to program and get to that point. A half a day or a half a year? There is serious cost associated with that half a year.

Not So Cheap After All

When you consider everything, a cheap router isn’t so cheap after all. In fact, to match a Thermwood Cut Center they would have to pay YOU to use their router. 

Instead of looking for the cheapest possible CNC router, do this thing right, get a Thermwood Cut Center….your life will be better and you will make more money.

See the Cut Center at WMS 2015!

The 2015 WMS Show (November 5th-7th) promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Toronto and see the very latest technology from Thermwood! 

Like the award winning Thermwood Cut Center (make virtually anything a cabinet shop would want to make - with no programming), as well as the AutoProcessor 5'x10' (a high-speed, automatic load/unload, heavy-duty CNC routing system for nested based feed through machining).

Please come and visit us at CNC Automation booth #2013. Click this link (use promo code CNCAUT15) to obtain passes to the show on behalf of CNC Automation (exclusive Canadian Thermwood dealer).

The 2015 WMS Show (November 5th-7th) promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Toronto and see the very latest technology from Thermwood! 

Like the award winning Thermwood Cut Center (make virtually anything a cabinet shop would want to make - with no programming), as well as the AutoProcessor 5'x10' (a high-speed, automatic load/unload, heavy-duty CNC routing system for nested based feed through machining).

Please come and visit us at CNC Automation booth #2013. Click this link (use promo code CNCAUT15) to obtain passes to the show on behalf of CNC Automation (exclusive Canadian Thermwood dealer).

Cut Center

With the award-winning Thermwood Cut Center, there are no computers or design software. Everything is already in the machine. There is no programming. The cut center doesn’t need a computer to tell it how to move because it already knows how to make cabinets. Just tell it what you want to make, and it does it - it is that simple!  

If you want to operate the Cut Center as a CNC Router, you can. With CNC Access, you can operate the Cut Center as a CNC router in the traditional manner, running programs generated with virtually any CNC software.  Plus, (using eCabinet Systems software and following specific design protocols), you can custom design products and add them to the Cut Center libraries and then those items can be machined by the Cut Center with no further programming. 

AutoProcessor

The AutoProcessor 5'x10' is a high-speed, automatic load/unload, heavy-duty CNC routing system for nested based feed through machining.  It is used in nested based production of cabinets, closets and custom furniture. 

Thermwood Corporation, a major U.S. based manufacturer of CNC routers, has embarked on a program to develop Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) which can perform both the “additive” and “subtractive” functions on the same machine. This approach, called “near net shape”, uses a high volume thermoplastic printer to quickly create a part that is nearly, but not exactly, the final net shape. A “subtractive” function then machines the part to the exact final net shape. In its final form, Thermwood’s system will perform both the “Additive” and “Subtractive” functions on the same machine.

MeltShape Technology 

Both vertical walls and horizontal slabs were successfully built during initial testing

A more complex pattern was also created and trimmed as part of the testing process

Thermwood’s development system has performed well during initial additive testing. It has been tested through its entire operating range. This startup effort included initial validation of an all new “MeltShape Technology”. Melt shaping promises enhanced control of layer shape and improved bonding between layers. This new patent pending approach uses one or more shaping wheels to shape, form and compress the hot plastic melt as it is being extruded, insuring that each new layer is the proper shape and thickness and that it bonds firmly to previously applied material.  Melt shaping offers a new and promising technique in the advancement of large scale additive manufacturing. 

Featuring an extruder from American Kuhne

Kevin Slusarz, American Kuhne vice president of process technology, assisted with the start-up effort.  American Kuhne, a Graham Group Company, supplied the custom extrusion system for Thermwood’s development machine. The extrusion system performed flawlessly during initial testing. Extruder controls are designed to smoothly network and integrate with the machine control. “We are quite pleased to have a partner like American Kuhne as part of this development program” says Ken Susnjara, Thermwood’s CEO. 

20% Carbon Graphite Filled ABS

The material processed during startup testing was a 20% carbon graphite filled ABS from Techmer ES. Thermwood is in discussions with other material supplier to test their material in this new application. 

MeltShaping Approach 

Thermwood’s melt shaping approach to adding material offers several significant advantages. Because layers are rolled together, rather than tamped together, air between layers is squeezed out during the additive process, so it is much less likely that air becomes trapped between layers. This was borne out during initial testing which produced virtually void free walls. This addresses the problem of trapped air delaminating layers when a part is processed through a heated autoclave, which is a common requirement for aerospace parts and patterns.  

Full Six Axis Articulated Additive Deposition Head 

This approach uses a melt shaping wheel that interact with the extruded thermoplastic bead while it is still hot and pliable. The shaping wheel is servo controlled so it can track the direction of machine motion. The Thermwood machine is a full six axis system, five axes to position the head in any orientation and the sixth axis to align the shaping wheels to the machine motion direction. Thermwood has added a software feature to its Q Core CNC control called “Tangential Following” which automatically keeps the shaping wheel aligned with the direction of machine motion without the need for six axis programming. This eliminates the need for a specialized CAD/CAM system to handle the sixth axis and allows the use of virtually any five-axis CAD/CAM system to program machine motion. 

Multiple Shaping Modules

Thermwood envisions different shaping wheels, each imparting specific characteristics to the hot plastic bead. 

Further Details

Because of its five axis head configuration, material can be applied at an angle or onto a curved surfaces in addition to traditional horizontal layers. This capability opens new processing possibilities and supports free form additive manufacturing techniques not currently possible. 

Thermwood’s initial test machine, which can print parts up to ten foot by ten foot by five foot thick, is expected to be fitted with a five axis “subtractive” gantry trim system in the next few months at which time all functions can be performed on the same machine. 

Ongoing Development

Model 67 5'x12' Dual Table CNC Router shown

Description:

The Model 67 is entry-level fixed-gantry, moving table 5 Axis CNC router that is used for trimming formed parts, patterns or molds using five-axis simultaneous motions.  It is available with a variety of either single or dual moving solid aluminum table sizes.

Features of the Model 67:

• Single table sizes from 5'x5' to 10'x5' or dual table sizes from 5'x5' to 5'x12'
• Fixed Gantry
• Moving Solid Aluminum Table
• 7.5HP HSD Dual End Spindle (3,000-18,000RPM)
• 24' Z axis standard (available up to 48" Z axis)
• QCore SuperControl
• Full 5 axis simultaneous motions
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
• 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor (optional)
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support 

Videos featuring large sculptures created on a Thermwood Model 67 at John Cox's Creature Workshop:

The Thermwood Multi-Purpose Five Axis Series combines all the elements needed for trimming of large aerospace and composite materials as well as machining large format patterns and molds/plugs for the aviation and defense industries.

Here we look at the Thermwood Model 77.  This heavy-duty, high-speed, moving gantry machine is ideal for machining large applications utilizing heavy fixtures.

Lenny and Mike with their newly installed Model 77 5’x10’ 5 Axis CNC router featuring an enclosed overhead cap cover, 10 position rotary automatic tool changer, 36" Z Axis, gantry lighting system, access doors, Nemi pod table and rear dust extraction booth.

Features: 12HP HSD Tool Change Spindle (3,000-24,000 RPM Spindle) (other spindles available) Impact Resistant 5 Axis Head  36" Z (other sizes available) 10 Position Rotary Tool Change System Full 5 Axis Simultaneous Motion Fixed Drill and Tapped Aluminum Table Conventional Style Vacuum Plumbing Heavy Duty Access Doors Gantry Lighting Overhead Cover Cap Rear Dust Extraction Booth Tool Center Point Programming (TCP) Rapid Speed: 3500 inches per minute Moving Gantry Thermwood Q Core SuperControl Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout Volumetric 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment Automatic Tool Length Sensor Chip Collection Multi-Function Nemi Pod Table Machine Training and Installation Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support

Thermwood Corporation, a leading U.S. based manufacturer of CNC routers, has announced a program to develop a 3D Additive Manufacturing System, capable of making large carbon graphite reinforced composite thermoplastic components.

Near Net Shape Approach

Thermwood’s systems utilizes a “near net shape” approach where a relatively large extruder, mounted to the machine, is used to heat, melt and deposit, or “print”, carbon graphite filled thermoplastic material to quickly create a structure which is almost, but not quite the exact final shape. That structure, when it cools and hardens is then five axis machined to the final net shape. 

Up to Sixty Feet Long

These new systems will be based on Thermwood’s Model 77, semi-enclosed, high wall gantry machine structures, which are currently offered in sizes up to sixty feet long. For the plastic extruder, Thermwood turned to American Kuhne, the preferred provider of engineered solutions for plastic, rubber & silicone extrusion, who developed a custom system, which integrates tightly, both mechanically and electronically, with Thermwood’s CNC machine. This allows not only the machine but also the plastic extruder to be controlled and managed by a central CNC control, insuring smooth integration and increasing both capability and flexibility. 

Optional Additive and Subtractive on the Same Machine

With the addition of a second gantry, both the “Additive” and “Subtractive” processes can be performed on the same machine. The second “Subtractive” gantry will be offered as an option. Companies that already have five axis machining capacity and want to work with Additive Manufacturing may only require “Additive” machine capability as they can use existing equipment for the “Subtractive” part of the process. 

Full Six Axis Articulated Additive Deposition Head

Thermwood’s systems will feature full six axis articulated additive deposition head, allowing it to build layered structures on both a horizontal plane as well as planes canted in any direction up to ninety degrees from horizontal. Management believes this capability will be important as technology advances and more complex structures are required. 

Further Details

Thermwood’s initial development machine, which is nearing completion, can make parts up to ten foot by ten foot by five foot high, is equipped with a 20HP, 1 ¾ inch diameter, 24-1 L/D extruder and support equipment capable of processing over 100 pounds of material per hour. Despite the relatively heavy weight of the extrusion system and head, which are both mounted on and move with the machine, the machine generates impressive performance with high acceleration rates and high feed rate capability. 

Ongoing Development

This is an ongoing research and development program and Thermwood Management cannot say when commercial systems might be available to the market, but they believe this technology represents a major opportunity and that “Additive Manufacturing” will become a significant factor in the future of manufacturing. Thermwood believes it is in a unique position to pursue this emerging technology since, at one time, it was a plastic processing company that operated large plastic extruders in a production environment. Thermwood is already a major manufacturer of the “Subtractive” machinery part of the equation and this same technology is the basis of the “Additive” equipment.

Thermwood also designs, builds and programs its own sophisticated CNC controls which it can tailor to any new requirements and also has experience developing sophisticated design and CAD/CAM software packages which are also an important part of this new technology.

Just like a smart phone does more than make phone calls, a “smart-router” does much more than route parts. The “more” in a smart-router saves material and labor and makes it really easy to use. A smart-router does cost more but is substantially more profitable, making it a much better overall investment.

Thermwood smart-routers process part programs two ways:

1. The traditional way by using CNC program output from virtually any design software. Thermwood smart-routers can even run existing programs written for other brand machines (even if those programs contain codes specific to that machine). This means, with a Thermwood smart-router, you can use software configured for almost any machine and you can run programs you already have without reprogramming. Thermwood smart-routers are pretty much compatible with anything.

2. Instead of using traditional CNC programs developed with software and a PC, Thermwood smart-routers can also use part information directly, and create the actual cutting programs within the machine itself. Major software vendors offer database output to Thermwood smart-routers, and any software that can output DXF files will work with Thermwood smart-routers. You send the design to a Thermwood smart-router and it, rather than you, worries about how to make the parts. This offers significant advantages.

Thermwood smart-routers technology is...