Thermwood at AWFS 2017 - From the floor!

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jul 21, 2017

Tags: AWFS, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, Las Vegas, Cut Ready, Cut Center, Brent East

In the video below, Thermwood's own Brent East gives a tour of our booth #9200 during Day 2 of the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, NV.  Featuring the award-winning Cut Ready Cut Center and the versatile Model 45 CNC router.  Take a look at what we are up to at the show!

See just how easy it is to use the Cut Center

Visit AWFS 2017 and try out the Award Winning Thermwood Cut Center

The Thermwood Cut Center will be in action during AWFS 2017.  You'll have the opportunity to see just how easy it is to run this new machine.  Just tell it what you want, and it makes it...it is that easy! 

We'll be demonstrating live during the show, and you can be part of it by helping to operate the Cut Center.  Please visit our booth (#9200) and speak to a Thermwood representative to get your hands on this exciting machine! 

Solid Wood Machining on the Thermwood Model 45Thermwood CabinetShop 45

We will also be demonstrating solid wood, plastics and aluminum utilizing a pod system and a horizontal aggregate 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 in addition to cabinets, solid wood, millwork, phenolic, display fixtures and much more.  This high-performance three axis CNC router is available in either single or dual spindles, multiple table sizes and many other options as well.

Thermwood Model 45 Videos (including machining HDPE plastic sheets):

Thermwood Model 45 Machining Plastic Sheet (HDPE) 

See at AWFS 2017:

Both of these machines will be on display and cutting live at AWFS 2017 (July 19th-22nd) in Booth #9200 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Make plans now to visit us and see this exciting new technology in person! 

Request More Information from Thermwood

See How A Thermwood Smart Router Can Save You Money

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Mar 15, 2017

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, smart-router, Support, save money on cnc router, Cut Ready, Cut Center, QCore, Service, virtual service

Thermwood Smart Routers Save You Money!Most people looking at a router for the first time do not realize that the vast majority of their cost will not be in running the router, but actually in EVERYTHING ELSE required to run the router (preparation, programming, hold down, operating procedures and error handling are the main cost areas).

Ordinary routers do not focus on these areas. They simply rely on the user to take care of them and usually it is not that easy.  Thermwood smart routers address these areas in a big way. They focus on the areas where you spend the most money because that’s where you can make the most money.

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


Thermwood Smart Router Advantages:

Smart Routers Save Material

  • Thermwood Smart Routers - Your Best InvestmentEasily use material left from the last job
  • Recover from broken tools without scrapping material
  • Smart nesting keeps smaller parts from moving and being scrapped
  • Nest around defects to use damaged or flawed material
  • Save the sheet if parts start moving
  • Warns you if spoilboard needs resurfacing
  • Fly cut spoilboard in the middle of a job
  • Machine back operations on the full sheet
  • Alerts you when running critical parts

Smart Routers Save Labor

  • Smart routers are easier to program
  • Recut parts without programming
  • Easily recover from problems without programming
  • Run at the machine without programming each job
  • During file selection, images help avoid errors
  • Machine operator can safely do other jobs
  • Avoid processing parts one at a time

Smart Routers are Easy to Use

  • Run from virtually any software or any program
  • The same file works on any smart router regardless of size or configuration
  • Smart routers easily process material whose thickness varies from sheet to sheet
  • Smart routers guide you step by step
  • Uses smart labels to make parts easy to sort
  • Assembly marks make parts easy to assemble
  • Smart tooling avoids tooling errors
  • Smart routers manage tooling for you
  • Smart routers machine a profile edge without a profile tool

Smart Routers are Easy to Maintain and Service

  • Automatically manages routine maintenance
  • Helps you recover from errors quickly and easily
  • Maintenance and operating manuals are right on the screen
  • Watch how-to videos for service
  • 3D CAD drawings identify every part quickly and easily
  • Smart routers can be serviced over the internet
  • Smart routers are updated online

Other Differences

  • Smart routers are not limited by memory
  • Smart routers can be monitored and managed with your smartphone or tablet
  • Smart routers use a large touch screen like other modern devices


Request More Information from Thermwood 

How Can a Thermwood Smart Router Save You Money?

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Jun 23, 2016

Tags: Thermwood, smart-router, save money on cnc router

Thermwood Smart Routers Save You Money!Most people looking at a router for the first time do not realize that the vast majority of their cost will not be in running the router, but actually in EVERYTHING ELSE required to run the router (preparation, programming, hold down, operating procedures and error handling are the main cost areas).

Ordinary routers do not focus on these areas. They simply rely on the user to take care of them and usually it is not that easy.  Thermwood smart routers address these areas in a big way. They focus on the areas where you spend the most money because that’s where you can make the most money.

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


Thermwood Smart Router Advantages:

Smart Routers Save Material

  • Thermwood Smart Routers - Your Best InvestmentEasily use material left from the last job
  • Recover from broken tools without scrapping material
  • Smart nesting keeps smaller parts from moving and being scrapped
  • Nest around defects to use damaged or flawed material
  • Save the sheet if parts start moving
  • Warns you if spoilboard needs resurfacing
  • Fly cut spoilboard in the middle of a job
  • Machine back operations on the full sheet
  • Alerts you when running critical parts

Smart Routers Save Labor

  • Smart routers are easier to program
  • Recut parts without programming
  • Easily recover from problems without programming
  • Run at the machine without programming each job
  • During file selection, images help avoid errors
  • Machine operator can safely do other jobs
  • Avoid processing parts one at a time

Smart Routers are Easy to Use

  • Run from virtually any software or any program
  • The same file works on any smart router regardless of size or configuration
  • Smart routers easily process material whose thickness varies from sheet to sheet
  • Smart routers guide you step by step
  • Uses smart labels to make parts easy to sort
  • Assembly marks make parts easy to assemble
  • Smart tooling avoids tooling errors
  • Smart routers manage tooling for you
  • Smart routers machine a profile edge without a profile tool

Smart Routers are Easy to Maintain and Service

  • Automatically manages routine maintenance
  • Helps you recover from errors quickly and easily
  • Maintenance and operating manuals are right on the screen
  • Watch how-to videos for service
  • 3D CAD drawings identify every part quickly and easily
  • Smart routers can be serviced over the internet
  • Smart routers are updated online

Other Differences

  • Smart routers are not limited by memory
  • Smart routers can be monitored and managed with your smartphone or tablet
  • Smart routers use a large touch screen like other modern devices

 

Thermwood smart-router technology is...

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jun 24, 2015

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Router, smart-router, Cut Ready, Cut Center, smart-router series


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.
  1. 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...


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Thermwood CNC Mobile App now supports automatic text and email alerts

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Apr 13, 2015

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Router, smart-router, QCore, CNC Mobile App, Monitoring, Advanced Support

The free Thermwood CNC Mobile app is intended to allow Thermwood Machine users to track the operation of their Thermwood CNC router(s) and the programs that run on them from anywhere by using their cell phone, PC or other mobile device.

The new Automatic Alert addition allows the user to instruct the machine to automatically email or text them when certain events occur.

To accomplish this, the user simply enters their email address or phone number, chooses the machine(s) to monitor and select the events they want to automatically receive alerts about. The alerts are easily customizable and adjustable, making it simple to set up and receive more or less information automatically.

Thermwood CNC Mobile App Automatic Alerts


Thermwood CNC Mobile App - Machine Listing DisplayThe Thermwood CNC Mobile app allows users to monitor many aspects of their Thermwood smart-router(s) and QCore Super Controller including programs, events, cycle times, scheduled maintenance and much more from just about anywhere. This app permits the user to obtain the following information on a smart-phone, tablet or PC:

  • A listing of every machine they own (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

  • A 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 Thermwood Support Technician right from your device.

  • The ability to download the data from any of your Thermwood CNC Routers in either Excel (XLS) or XML format.

Note: While this app is free to install, only machines enrolled in Thermwood’s Advanced Support program or subscribed to Virtual Service will deliver the monitoring service. The machine also requires QCore control software version 8.5.5 or newer. A demo portion of the app is available to observe the features.


Download Your Thermwood CNC Mobile App Machine Data

Now you can download the data from any of your Thermwood CNC Routers in either Excel (XLS) or XML format. You can also choose the date range you wish to download.

Note: You must be a current Advanced Support or Virtual Service Customer to access your data.

Download Your Thermwood CNC Mobile App Data

 


Available on the App Store

Available on Google Play

Also available on any browser here: https://server.thermwood.com/thmmobileapp


About the Thermwod CNC Mobile App



Thermwood CNC Mobile App - Maintenance Display

Thermwood CNC Mobile App - Machine Display

Thermwood CNC Mobile App - Program View

Thermwood CNC Mobile App - Main Screen


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 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