Meet the All New AutoProcessor 43

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Mar 09, 2022

Tags: Thermwood, New, 3 Axis, Announcements, cabinets, nested based, Furniture, AutoProcessor, AutoProcessor 43

Thermwood's AutoProcessor 43 Machining Center is an all-new complete, nested-based, CNC routing system for machining cabinet boxes, custom furniture and basically any nested type of sheet product.

Thermwood AutoProcessor 43

 

AutoProcessor 43

The AutoProcessor 43 is fully automatic from labeling and positioning of the sheets, to machining and off-loading the machined parts.

With each cycle, the machine simultaneously and automatically:

  1. Labels each part area on the sheet
  2. Moves and automatically positions the sheet on the table
  3. Machines the material while labeling the next sheet
  4. Simultaneously off-loads the finished parts and reloads the next sheet
  5. Continuously repeats the process

Standard Features

The AutoProcessor 43 is loaded with Standard Features and Optionsap_43_composite_2022.fw

  • 5'x10' (1.5m x 3.0m) Fixed Table
  • Moving Gantry
  • 10 Position Automatic Rotary Tool Change System
  • 12 HP (9kw) ISO Electro Spindle
  • High-Flow Vacuum Table
  • Automatic 6000 LB Lift Table for Loading
  • Simultaneous Automatic Labeling System
  • Automatic Dust Extraction During the Unload Raking Process
  • Automatic Pop Up Pins
  • Automatic Tool Length Sensor
  • Automatic Lubrication System
  • Automatic Sheet Load/Unload System
  • Automatic Sheet Positioning System
  • Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
  • 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
  • SuperControl
  • Control Nesting
  • 5 Spindle Drill Bank (Optional)
  • Unload Sorting Table (Optional)
  • Touch Screen Control (Optional)
  • Made in America

Well Equipped with Features/Options

12 HP Spindle

12 HP (9KW) SPINDLE

A direct driven spindle with a speed range up to 24,000 RPM.  the High Frequency Spindle is cooled with an electric fan for quieter running and contains ceramic bearings for longer life and for less maintenance.  The 12 HP (9kw) spindle provides the user with a heavy duty, precision spindle for high performance and reliability.  Standard

 

 

 

10 Position Rotary Automatic Tool Changer

ROTARY AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER

10 Position Rotary Automatic Tool Changer Includes (10) ISO-30 Tool Holders and collets.  Max tool size is 2" (50mm) in diameter and 3.25" (83mm) in length.  Standard (optional HSK63F)

 

 

AUTOMATIC CNC LABELER SYSTEM

AUTOMATIC CNC LABELER SYSTEM

The Automatic CNC Labeler System labels the sheet before the machining operation.  The labels assist with sorting and assembling finished parts.  Optional

 

 

Automatic Load/Unload System

AUTOMATIC LOAD/UNLOAD SYSTEM

Automatically loads sheets up to 60" x 120" (1.5m x 3.0m) to assist operator with unloading the machine and automatically position the sheet.  Each individual sheet is elevated and positioned by a series of programmable vacuum cups.  A steel rake is mounted in front of the router motor and travels with the machine gantry allowing parts to be removed off the front of the table.  Dust extraction/table sweep occurs during the rake process.  Standard

IMG_9349-1

FIVE SPINDLE DRILL BANK

The drill unit is a vertical boring head with five vertical spindles.  The spindles are on 32mm centers.  The drill unit can be independent.  Optional

 

Vaccum Pump

VACUUM PUMP

Universal Vacuum System is a unique method for holding panels to the table top for machining.  A sheet of MDF is used as a work surface on the top of the table.  The high flow pump vacuums through the work surface, holding the part to the table.  Pumps are available in different sizes.  Optional

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood Corporate HeadquartersThermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.

Thermwood Model 45 CNC Router with Nemi Pod System Machining a Poplar Hardwood Door

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Feb 21, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, 3 Axis, nested based, NEMI, hardwood doors, pod system

This video shows a Thermwood Model 45 CNC Router equipped with a Nemi Pod System machining a hardwood door out of poplar.

The Model 45 is a heavy-duty workhorse three axis CNC Router designed for composites, tooling boards, plastics aluminum, cabinets, wood and nested based production. Available in either single or dual spindles with optional rotary axis.  Featuring fixed table sizes from 5'x5' to 7'x12', it has a 12HP HSD Spindle (3,000-24,000RPM) - optional 18HP HSD Spindle available.

Model 45 Info Request

Thermwood Model 45 5'x10' CNC Router

Thermwood Model 45 5'x10' CNC Router shown

Thermwood Model 45 with Nemi Pod System

Thermwood Model 45 5'x10' CNC Router with Nemi Pod System Shown


Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment 

Thermwood total solutions for nested based custom cabinet production

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Jan 23, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, eCabinet Systems, software, smart-router, High Performance, cabinets, nested based, Custom


eCabinet Systems and Thermwood Smart-Routers

eCabinet Systems ExamplesIf you want the ability to create any type of custom cabinets you can conceive, as well as closets and custom furniture, we have a solution for you.  eCabinet Systems paired with Thermwood's CNC routers (featuring smart-router technology) allow you to program and run anything you can imagine and design, while offering total flexibility and absolute control of the entire process.

Although our CNC systems work with just about any cabinet design software, eCabinet Systems software is so well integrated with the machine control that production is smoother, problems are fewer and profit is much higher. Systems are available for custom or high volume custom nested based cabinet production.

 


Thermwood smart-router technology is...

 


Model 43 and eCabinet Systems

 Thermwood Model 43 for Custom Cabinet Production

A great custom cabinet package is the CabinetShop 43 paired with eCabinet Systems.  This high-performance CNC router, comes standard with Thermwood’s smart-router technology as well as a fully stress-relieved rigid steel structure.  Table sizes range from 4’x’8 up to 5’x20’ and it comes with an 11 position automatic tool changer as standard.  This solution allows you to quickly and profitably produce any type of custom cabinets you can imagine and design, as well as a lot more.

 


AutoProcessor series for nested based feed through machining

 Thermwood AutoProcessor 7'x12' CNC Router for High Volume Nested Based Production

For high-speed/high-volume nested-based CNC routing, the AutoProcessor series is another excellent option.  This heavy-duty system comes standard with auto-labeling and auto-load/offload to increase throughput and cut down on labor.  Table sizes range from 5’x10’ to 7’x12’ and it comes with a standard 10 position rotary automatic tool changer.  With a rapid speed of 4100 IPM and a 6000 lb automatic lift table for loading material, the AutoProcessor series is a very fast and extremely tough solution for nested based feed through machining.

 


 Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment

What can a smart-router do for you? (part 4)

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jan 17, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, smart-router, nested based, smart-router series, flycut, spoilboard, mobile, app

This is part four in our blog series demonstrating some of the ways that modern smart-routers can make your job easier as well as help save you money. 

Here, we focus on a couple of ways a smart-router can improve your nested-based production process: 

  • Allowing you to automatically flycut the spoilboard in the middle of a job

  • Smart-routers can be monitored and managed from your smartphone or tablet

Smart-routers easily flycut the spoilboard in the middle of a job

Maintaining a good working spoilboard surface with ordinary routers is involved and prone to problems. With a smart-router, this process is automated and easy.  If you need to flycut the spoilboard in the middle of a job, just press the "Flycut" buttom on the control and the smart-router will automatically walk you through the steps.  This can save a lot of hassle by allowing you to quickly level the surface of your spoilboard at any point in the job.

 


Smart-routers can be monitored from your mobile device

Smart-routers live on the web. They access updates on the web, are serviced through the web and let you monitor and manage your smart-router using your smart phone or tablet.

Smart-routers do this through the use of apps that allow users to monitor their CNC router(s) and the programs that run on them from anywhere. These apps permit users to obtain the following information and more:

  • A listing of every machine (includes an optional user customizable nickname)

  • The current state (ready, running or in e-stop)

  • The current Feed Override setting

  • The current program loaded and or running

  • A listing of all current and past part programs loaded/ran in chronological order with extensions

  • A listing of machine events during each part program in chronological order

  • iPhone Screenshot of Thermwood CNC Mobile AppA listing of the cycle time of every part program ran in chronological order

  • A listing of completion or interrupt times in each part program ran in chronological order

  • All machine events in chronological order with filtering

  • Monitor scheduled maintenance with a cycle time countdown as well as a graphical countdown progress bar

  • A time stamp listing of all previous maintenance performed

  • The ability to request a service phone call from a support technician right from your device.

 

 

 

 


 

 


Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment

What can a smart-router do for you? (part 3)

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, smart-router, guide, nested based, smart-router series, scrap

This is part three in our blog series demonstrating some of the ways that modern smart-routers can make your job easier as well as help save you money. 

Here, we focus on a couple of ways a smart-router can improve your nested-based production process: 

  • Allowing you to easily use material left from a previous job

  • Guiding you with step-by-step instructions

Smart-routers easily use material left from a previous job

Smart routers easily use scrap materialReplacing bad or scrap parts is really easy with a smart-router. At the end of a job, simply scan the labels of any parts you want to recut and the machine nests them on any material still on the table so you can recut them. This saves a lot over having to create new CNC programs to make replacement parts.

With a smart-router you can even add parts from previous jobs to a new job, provided you are running the same material (it monitors that for you). When replacement parts from another job are cut, a red bar on the label lets you know this part is for a different job.



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.

 



Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment

What can a smart-router do for you? (part 2)

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Dec 20, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, smart-router, nested based, Profile Modeler, smart-router series, nest around defects

This is part two in our blog series demonstrating some of the ways that modern smart-routers can make your job easier as well as help save you money. 

Here, we focus on a couple of ways a smart-router can improve your nested-based production process: 

  • Allowing you to nest around defects in damaged material

  • Giving you the ability to create a profile edge with standard tooling

Smart-routers allow you to nest around defects to use damaged material

Smart-routers allow you to nest around defectsThis feature can save you a lot of material, which in turn can save you a lot of time and money.

When using this feature on nested based jobs, a smart-router saves you money by reducing the amount of scrap material that is wasted.  This in turn saves you a substantial amount of money, and ordinary routers just do not focus on this area. They rely on the user to take care of checking the material for flaws, and this means that the operator must be both skilled and well trained to work within the limits of these systems.  

Smart-router Advantage

Smart routers address areas like this in a big way - they address the areas where you spend the most money because that’s where you can make the most money.  Ordinary routers may seem less expensive at first, but may prove to be much more expensive in the long run.


Smart-routers machine a profile edge without a profile tool

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

Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment

What can a smart-router do for you? (part 1)

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Dec 16, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, smart-router, nested based, smart-router series, Personal Pause Button, broken tool recovery

Today's smartphones are essentially handheld computers that also make phone calls.  The speed of technological advancement in this area has been nothing short of phenomenal over the past decade.  Not so with CNC routers.  There has been the occasional improvement here and there, but not until recently with the introduction of the modern smart-router, has a CNC router come along that does much more than just route parts.

A modern smart-router saves material and labor and is really easy to use. The intial cost may be a little bit more than a traditional "dumb" router, but the benefits make it an overall much better investment for nested-based manufacturing.

Over the next several postings, we are going to demonstrate some of the ways that modern smart-routers can improve your production process and help you save money:

Pause button allows machine operator to safely do other jobs

Personal pause allows machine operator to safely do other jobsWith standard routers, the operator must remain close to the control so he can stop the machine if something goes wrong. The only job he can really do is watch the machine. With a smart-router, a pause button clips to his belt. Pressing it anywhere in the production cell stops the machine. It works like an emergency stop, but is not a “wrench in the gearbox” emergency stop. It immediately stops the machine, but offers options.  With this feature, the operator is free to perform other tasks away from the control. A progress bar, visible from a distance, shows the operator how long before he needs to service the machine. It’s like getting an extra worker for free.  More info on this feature.


Smart-routers can recover from broken tools without scrapping the material

Smart-routers easily recover from a broken tool

One great feature of a smart-router is the ability to recover from a broken tool without scrapping the sheet you are cutting or restarting the job. This can save a lot of time, effort and money.

If a tool breaks, press the Pause button to stop the machine.  Then select the Replace Tool option on the control, and the smart-router drops off the tool holder and notifies you to replace the tool. The machine then picks up the new tool, automatically measures it, adjusts the program for the new tool length, recuts the path of the broken tool and continues with the job.  More information on this feature.


Click to Calculate your CNC Router Investment

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.