Smart-routers machine a profile edge without a profile tool

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jul 12, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, 3 Axis, CNC Router, smart-router, Profile Modeler

 

Smart-routers allow you to quickly create a custom profile shape without special toolingSmart-routers can machine a profile edge without a profile tool, by tracing over the edge multiple times with standard tools. It even works on curved moldings.

This saves a lot for any shop that makes custom moldings by allowing you to use Profile Modeler to quickly create a molding or custom shape from a sketch or drawing with no special shaped tooling required.

 

Overview:  Smart-routers machine a profile edge without a profile tool

In depth:  Profile Modeler - from Sketch to Production

 

Thermwood at AWFS 2013

Thermwood will be demonstrating many of the features of smart-router technology and nested based manufacturing at the 2013 AWFS show on July 24th-27th (Booth #8400).  Plan to stop by and check it out, or click the button below to request a personal consultation on how we can help improve your production process.


Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Smart-routers alert you when prominent parts are going to be processed

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jul 05, 2013

Tags: CNC Routers, 3 Axis, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, QCore, MTR, alerts

Smart routers alert you when running critical partsSmart-routers alert you when running critical or prominent parts.  Certain parts are prominent on the final product, door and drawer fronts for example.

Smart-routers instruct you to hand select the sheet if it has any of these prominent parts on it. If left to random, it is easy to encounter a flaw or unattractive grain pattern, forcing you to scrap valuable parts. By hand selecting, you can use the best possible material for these important parts. 

And since nesting is done right at the machine, it is easy to use material left from previous jobs. At the beginning of a new job, simply scan the label on any material you want to use and the machine nests on it. You can even use material with flaws by nesting around the flaws. This feature alone can save 5-7% of your material cost each year.

Thermwood at AWFS 2013

Thermwood will be demonstrating many of the features of smart-router technology and nested based manufacturing at the 2013 AWFS show on July 24th-27th (Booth #8400).  Plan to stop by and check it out, or click the button below to request a personal consultation on how we can help improve your production process.


Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Smart-routers use smart labels to make parts easy to sort and edgeband

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jul 03, 2013

Tags: Labels, 3 Axis, edgebanding, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, MTR

Smart labels make parts easy to programSmart-routers use smart labels to make parts easy to sort and edgeband.

Most jobs consist of several individual items, for example, a kitchen full of cabinets. To get the most efficient nests, parts are scattered throughout the job. Once complete, the first thing you must do is figure out which parts go with which cabinets. Smart-routers use a color symbol on the labels. Put the parts with the same symbol together; red circles with red circles, blue triangles with blue triangles, yellow squares with yellow squares, etc. Color symbols are much easier to sort than text descriptions. This saves a ton of labor. Using a diagram of the part, smart labels also show which edges need to be edge banded.

Thermwood at AWFS 2013

Thermwood will be demonstrating many of the features of smart-router technology and nested based manufacturing at the 2013 AWFS show on July 24th-27th (Booth #8400).  Plan to stop by and check it out, or click the button below to request a personal consultation on how we can help improve your production process.


Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Meet with Thermwood at AWFS 2013 and receive a FREE 2GB flash drive

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Jun 25, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, CabinetShop, Model 43, AWFS, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, Free

Thermwood at AWFS 2013 in Las VegasAWFS 2013 (July 24th-27th)  promises to be an exciting time to visit Las Vegas.  This year, Thermwood is proud to demonstrate our affordable CabinetShop 43 CNC router equipped with the new optional Auto Labeling and Unload Rake System for nested based production as well as our Model 45 CNC router demonstrating solid wood machining. Both machines are equipped with smart-router technology that helps save labor and material, is easy to use and will make you a lot more money than ordinary routers.

Plus, we are offering a FREE 2 GB flash drive to anyone who signs up for a time to meet with our CNC Experts at the show (Booth #8400) to discuss how Thermwood can improve your production process.

Speed up Production Time with CabinetShop 43

This new option helps save time by automating the process of placing labels and off-loading finished material.  The automated system quickly places the labels and then machines the parts.  It next unloads the finished material to a sorting table.  This automatic and economical addition can greatly speed up production time, and is available both on new machines and as a retrofit. 


Solid Wood Machining on Thermwood Model 45

We will also be demonstrating solid wood machining utilizing the Nemi Pod Hi-Flow System on our Thermwood Model 45.  The heavy-duty Model 45 is designed for a variety of functions including the machining of rotary operations when equipped with our optional C-Axis.  This expands the capability of this already useful machine to include volutes, carvings, chair parts, stair components and much more.



FREE 2 GB Flash Drive

FREE Flash Drive from ThermwoodSign up below to schedule a time during the show to meet with one of our CNC Experts (Booth #8400).  They will evaluate your production needs to determine how you can best reduce costs and increase efficiency.   Plus, receive a FREE 2 GB Flash Drive during your meeting!

 

 

 

Sign-up for an AWFS meeting time

Smart-routers guide you step by step

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jun 21, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, CNC Router, smart-router, guide, on-screen

The basis of a smart-router is that, instead of a machine that just executes a program, smart-routers automatically perform numerous functions that otherwise must be done by skilled, and expensive people. Smart-routers aren’t just controls that move a machine. They actually know the job they are doing, so they can make judgment calls to make operation much more efficient.

A smart-router allows a less-skilled operator to easily run programs.  One way it does this is through the use of on-screen instructions during the program operation.

Smart-routers guide you step by step through the program

smart-routers guide you step by stepDuring program operation, smart-routers tell you what they are doing and offer instructions every step of the way. They tell you how many steps are in the program,what step they are on and what step is coming up next. 

If you can read you can run a smart-router.

 



Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Thermwood incorporates smart-router technology into its nested based systems

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Jun 11, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, control nesting, CNC Routers, Nested Base, 3 Axis, Announcements, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Cabinet, Model 45, cabinets, nested based, MTR, Easy, SuperControl, Profile Modeler

Smart-routers may very well be the next wave in CNC routers. Just like smart phones have replaced regular phones, smart-routers may replace regular routers. Why? Because they are a lot easier to use and they make a lot more money from nested based jobs.

The big difference with smart-routers is not only do they know how to move, they also know the job they are doing. They can help in ways no simple machine can.

Smart routers easily use scrap materialFor example, when a smart-router finishes a job, it already knows how to make every part in that job, so if you need to cut a replacement part, the smart-router can do it without creating a new CNC program. In fact, they remember parts from all previous jobs. Just scan the label and it will cut it from the material left on the table. And, mentioning material left from a job, smart-routers use that material first when cutting a new job. You no longer have to throw it away or create specialized CNC programs to deal with it. It’s quick, easy and virtually automatic. It’s simple and saves the average shop thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in material each year that would otherwise be scrapped, and we’ve just scratched the surface.

Just like a smart phone handles dozens of daily tasks through special apps, smart-routers handle dozens of aspects of running nested based products. The list is impressive and each feature saves labor, saves material, avoids scrap and makes the whole thing so much easier.

Please click here for a detailed list of some of these smart-router features.


Request a Consultation

If you would like to see just how much a smart-router can save you compared to an ordinary router, please give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and go over it in detail.

Thermwood at the 2013 AWFS Show in Las Vegas!

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Apr 15, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, CNC Routers, Nested Base, 3 Axis, Announcements, Trade Shows, edgebanding, Model 43, AWFS, CNC Router, Cabinet, Model 45, Las Vegas, cabinets, nested based, 43, Low Cost, edgebander, Auto Unload, Continuous C-Axis Rotation, solid wood processing, Demonstrations, Auto Load

Thermwood to Demonstrate New Auto-Labeling and Unload System on Model 43 and Solid Wood Machining on Model 45

Thermwood CabinetShop 43 with Auto Label and Unload Options

The 2013 AWFS Show (July 24th-27th) promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Las Vegas and see the very latest in CNC Router technology from Thermwood! 

For AWFS 2013, Thermwood is proud to demonstrate our affordable CabinetShop 43 CNC Router equipped with the new optional Auto Labeling and Unload Rake System for nested based production.  This new system will be in action at AWFS 2013 in Booth #8400.

 

Featuring the CabinetShop 43 with New Automatic Labeling and Unload System:

 

Speed up Production Time

This new option helps save time by automating the process of placing labels and off-loading finished material.  The automated system quickly places the labels and then machines the parts.  It next unloads the finished material to a sorting table.  This automatic and economical addition can greatly speed up production time, and is available both on new machines and as a retrofit.

Also at AWFS we will be demonstrating a Fravol edgebander.  Fravol, known for high quality edgebanders, is exclusively represented and serviced in the US by Thermwood.

 

Also Demonstrating Solid Wood Machining on the Thermwood Model 45

CabinetShop 45

 

We will also be demonstrating solid wood machining utilizing the Nemi Pod Hi-Flow System on our Thermwood Model 45

The heavy-duty Model 45 is designed for a variety of functions including the machining of rotary operations when equipped with our optional C-Axis.  This expands the capability of this already useful machine to include volutes, carvings, chair parts, stair components and much more.


See at AWFS:

This new system will be in action at AWFS 2013 (July 24th-27th) in Booth #8400.

Thermwood Profile Modeler - from Sketch to Production

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Mar 13, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, eCabinet Systems, CNC, software, control nesting, CNC Routers, wood, Woodworking, Nested Base, 3 Axis, Announcements, CabinetShop, Model 43, Technology, SR43, SignRouter 43, CNC Router, Model 45, smart, Free, save money on cnc router, cabinets, Video, QCore, nested based, Product Information, 43, US made, MTR, Easy, SuperControl, Profile Modeler, millwork, wood carving, introduction, carving, Demonstrations

Thermwood Profile ModelerThermwood's Profile Modeler allows you to quickly create a molding or custom shape from a sketch or drawing on a Thermwood CNC Router with no special shaped tooling required.  

This video demonstrates using Profile Modeler to create a custom curved cherry molding from Sketch - to Profile Modeler - to Machine - to Completed Shape.


Steps used in the video:

In eCabinet Systems:
  • Verify the measurements
  • Create the shape using Shape Manager in eCabinet Systems
  • Create Tool
  • Apply Tool to create Shape

On Thermwood QCore SuperControl:
  • File loaded into Profile Modeler on QCore SuperControl
  • Verify Tool Path
  • Run Program
  • Machining Part (Roughing/Finishing/Detail Passes)
  • No special shaped tooling required - Tools Used: 1/2 Straight, 1/2 Ballnose, 1/8 Ballnose, 1/8 Flat
  • Completed Shape

For more information on Profile Modeler or any of our other products, please click here or contact us at 1-800-533-6901.


Thermwood Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Mar 07, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, software, software update, Composites, CNC Routers, 5 Axis, Announcements, CNC Router, Model 90, aerospace, Model 70, Model 77, Video, QCore, SuperControl, introduction

Thermwood Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine

Thermwood has developed our new Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine which is used to record and populate the alignment measurement values into the Thermwood QCore control system (after machine alignments are manually performed).  

This routine automatically checks alignment in multiple axes and allows alignment to be quickly verified between jobs.  The routine compares the measured values to the default values.

The Thermwood 5 Axis Alignment Verification Routine includes:

  • Renishaw high-tolerance tooling sensor
  • Precision ground pin
  • Dedicated tool holder
  • Collet and all mounting hardware.


For more information on the Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine, please contact us at 1-800-533-6901.

 

 

Thermwood Model 43 with Auto Labeling for Nested Based Production

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jan 16, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, Labels, Nested Base, Model 43, CNC Router, nested based, Auto Labeling

Here is our latest video featuring the Thermwood Model 43 CNC Router with the new Auto Labeling option for nested based production (auto labeling option available on the Model 43 and the MTR 21): 

Model 43 features:

  • 12 HP (3,000-24,000 RMP) Spindle
  • Universal Vacuum 1 or 2 Zones
  • 11 Position Automatic Tool Changer
  • Rapid Speed:  3500 inches per minute
  • QCore SuperControl
  • Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives
  • Volumetric 3D Laser-Compensated Axis Alignment
  • Automatic Tool Length Sensor
  • Machine Training and Installation
  • Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support


Model 43 CNC Router

Thermwood Model 43 CNC Router