Which Type of CNC Router Training is Right For You?

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Apr 24, 2014

Tags: CNC, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, 5 Axis, CNC Router, Training, Support, education

CNC Router Training Options
After weeks, months and sometimes years of deliberation, you've finally decided that a CNC Router is right for your business!  One of the most important (but often forgotten) aspects of a CNC Router purchase that businesses don’t think about is training.  If this is your first CNC Router purchase, then training is key.  Choosing a router that offers a comprehensive training schedule is important so you can be prepared when the router arrives at your facility.     

Almost every CNC Router manufacturer offers some form of training, and each has its positives and negatives.  Some allow five full days of dedicated in-house training at their facility, while others offer two days of training at your facility in combination with your machine install/setup. 

What is Onsite Training?

Onsite CNC TrainingOnsite training is generally one to two days at your facility performed by a technician who not only will train you but will also run power to the machine and set it up.  Some of the training should include maintenance routines.  Onsite training is nice for those businesses that find it hard to get away from the office for a short period of time or having to spend extra on travel expenses (but this scenario also gives you less training time).  During this training period, distractions and interruptions can and will occur due to daily business routines. 

If you’re looking at a CNC Router that offers onsite training, ask the company for a training itinerary so you can get a better idea as to what they will be teaching you during this one to two days.

What is In-house Training?

Thermwood Training FacilitiesIn-house training is generally a longer period of time, usually no more than five days at the manufacturer's facility.  Added travel expense and time away from the shop for one or two of your employees could be hard for some of you, but you will receive more in depth training as well as no interruptions or distractions.  Some view the travel as a way to take a “vacation” or time away from the shop. 

In-house training is performed by a dedicated instructor who teaches this information week in and week out.  Also, you would most likely be in a training class along with other businesses just like yours.  This method gives you and the other students a chance to take a tour of the manufacturers’ facility and possibly see your machine being assembled if it hasn’t been shipped yet.  Depending on the manufacturer, lunches are provided during the week, so students aren’t left wandering around looking for places to eat. 

How about Software Training?

eCabinet Systems Online TrainingSoftware training is going to depend on who you purchase the software from.  Some offer onsite training, some in-house training and now (because of the popularity of the internet), online training is also available.  The pluses and negatives above will also apply to software training.  Hopefully you will have decided which software will work for your business before your new machine arrives, as this will give you an advantage of putting that CNC Router right to work once it is in place.  Online training allows you to go through the training courses anywhere/anytime and at your own pace as long as you have an internet connection.

Don't forget Training Support

Thermwood technician uses Virtual Service to help a customerAnother aspect to consider is training support.  If you have questions or concerns about your machine or its operation/programming, you want to go with a vendor who offers the easiest access to answers.  Some manufacturers have pay-for-answer support which charges by the answer or by a time period, while others have free forums, email and/or phone support. 

The decision is yours!

You should spend time investigating all aspects of your purchase before you make a decision.  Ultimately, how well you understand your CNC Router and its operation (as well as the level of support you can expect) will help determine your future success.


 

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Boy Scout Troop Visits Thermwood

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jan 30, 2013

Tags: Model 43, Model 45, education, Demonstrations, Boy Scout, Learining

Local Jasper, IN Boy Scout Toop #185 recently visited Thermwood to learn about how CNC Routers work. 

The scouts took a tour of the factory and then watched machining demonstrations on both the Model 45 and Model 43.  Each scout was able to take home a personalized Boy Scout emblem puzzle as well as a plaque with their name on it.

Boy Scouts learn about Universal Vacuum on a Thermwood Model 43

Scouts learn about universal vacuum hold-down on a Thermwood Model 43 CNC Router


 

Boy Scouts watch a Thermwood Model 43 in action!

Scouts watch the Model 43 machining out Boy Scout emblem puzzles



Boy Scouts watch a Thermwood Model 45 in action!

Scouts watch the Model 45 machining out their personalized name plaques


Boy Scout Emblem Puzzles and Name Plaques

Boy Scout emblem puzzles and personalized name plaques


A Scout holding up his emblem puzzle and name plaque

A Scout holds up his emblem puzzle and name plaque


If you know of a group that would be interested in a personal tour of our facilities, or if you would like a customized demonstration of our solution to help improve your production process, please let us know by following the link below:

Request a Consultation 

 

CNC Router Training at Thermwood

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jun 08, 2012

Tags: CNC, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, 5 Axis, CNC Router, Training, education, Customer Lounge

When you purchase a CNC Router from Thermwood, a five-day comprehensive programming/operation training course for two students is included.  This course is conducted at Thermwood's state of the art Dale, IN facility. 

Superior Factory Training:

Thermwood Training FacilitiesTraining at Thermwood is conducted in a modern, comfortable and well equipped center devoted specifically to educating our customers. This is, by far, the fastest and most efficient way to learn. Over the years, Thermwood has experienced the ups and downs of training at the customer's facility, the interruptions and distractions, not to mention the lack of classroom facilities and equipment. It just doesn’t work very well. At Thermwood, the atmosphere contributes to the learning experience. Each classroom is setup specifically for the course being taught.

 

 

Training Facilities:

Thermwood Machine TrainingOur machine operator/programmer courses are located adjacent to the machine training lab, where students complete the prescribed projects on a specific training machine utilized only for training purposes. Our application software classes are conducted in a classroom with state-of-art computer equipment. Then when it comes time for practical applications on a full sized machine, Thermwood's training lab is equipped with a CabinetShop 45 outfitted with all major options and features. Real production type parts are cut. What a confidence builder!

Customer Training Lounge:

Thermwood Customer LoungeThermwood also has a customer lounge and workstation available for use during your training at our facility. This comfortable area features free:

  • Wi-Fi
  • Phones
  • Daily Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Drinks
  • Lounge area with plenty of seating and satellite-equipped large flat-screen tv for your use.

 

Continuing Help and Support

Thermwood Customer Lounge - View #2Our five-day machine programming/operations training here at Thermwood is the first step to helping you hit the ground running.  The goal is to help you understand how to utilize the power of your Thermwood CNC Router and QCore SuperControl to make your operation as efficient and productive as possible.  Our commitment to this doesn't end when you complete the training course.  We also offer:

 For more information on our machine training or about any of our products, please email us at sales@thermwood.com or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901.          

Thermwood offers educational discounts for CNC Router purchases

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Jun 07, 2011

Tags: Thermwood, eCabinet Systems, CNC, Technology, education, QCore, SuperControl, Discount

Thermwood CNC Routers Educational Discount

Thermwood CNC Routers are used in high schools, community colleges, universities and technical training centers all around the world to help teach the technology and practical application of CNC Router programming and operation.

Thermwood QCore SuperControlNot only do students learn the basic technology but they also experience full scale, full production machining operations (assuring that they are well prepared for real-world applications).

Each machine is equipped with the powerful QCore SuperControl which gives students the most advanced automated production features available, insuring state-of-the-art training.

Thermwood also offers free copies of its eCabinet Systems software for classroom use as well as an individual copy for each student enrolled on an ongoing basis.

 

The Advanced Support Program assures that new features and technology are automatically added to Thermwood educational machines as they are released, pledging that students are always working with the most up-to-date technology available.

Thermwood QCore SuperControlThermwood machines and technology are ideal for training in today’s rapidly changing technical horizon.  Please visit our educational applications area for more information and examples of Thermwood CNC Routers used in education.

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Thermwood CabinetShop 45 CNC Pen Project

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Dec 03, 2009

Tags: CNC, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, CabinetShop, Technology, Model 45, smart, Customer, education, ball state, drawing

The members of projectione recently utilized the 3 Axis CabinetShop 45 CNC Router at Associated Fabrication in New York to create several cool projects.

The first is a combination of CNC Router and a set of drafting and art pens to draw abstracted versions of character sketches.  For more information on this process, please click here:

CNC Pen Project on CS45 by projectione

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thermwood at the SAMPE Fall Technical Conference in Wichita, KS

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Oct 21, 2009

Tags: Thermwood, Trade Shows, education, Video, SAMPE

If you are in the Wichita, KS area, come check out the Thermwood booth at the SAMPe Fall Technical Conference.  The conference runs through October 21st.  Thermwood is Booth #810.  We have posted pics on our Twitter account 

http://www.twitter.com/thermwood

 

SAMPE Fall Technical Conference in Wichita, KS