Tips for attending the International Woodworking Fair 2014

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Aug 06, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, jason susnjara, IWF, tips, Atlanta

Jason SusnjaraWhether this is your first time attending a trade show in Atlanta or you have been visiting for years, our resident expert, Jason Susnjara (VP of Marketing-Thermwood) offers some tips to help navigate not just the show grounds but also Atlanta.  This year marks Jason’s tenth trip to the IWF show, and he has a lot of great advice for maximizing your time at IWF and in Atlanta:

 

 

 

IWF Atlanta:

IWF Atlanta 2014IWF is located at the Georgia World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta.  Show dates this year are August 20 – 23.  IWF will have exhibits in Buildings A and B.  If traveling by car, there are several parking options.  The Yellow lot (1284 spaces) is located in the Northwest corner of the WCC and is located near Building C.  The Blue lot (722 spaces) is located across Northside Dr. and Building C.  The Gold Deck (300 spaces) is located in between Building C and the Georgia Dome.  The Red Deck (2000 spaces) is a parking garage located in between the Georgia Dome and the CNN Center and just South of Building B.  All of these parking options are $10 per day.  The Yellow and Blue lots are very easy to get in and out of but will require a long walk to the entrance.  If you plan on staying around the CNN Center, Georgia Dome or Phillips Arena after the show, you will be better off parking in the Red Deck (plus this area is closer to the entrance). 

Transportation:

MARTA Atlanta

This time of year Atlanta is hot and the traffic can be daunting at times, especially if heading downtown.  There are multiple travel options to get around the city and to and from the show.  There are taxis, shuttle busses, rental cars, personal vehicles and the Marta.  The cheapest and fastest method of transportation is the Marta.  The Marta has numerous routes that will take you all over and around the city.  If you plan on renting a car and staying downtown, remember that you will be paying for a parking fee every night of your stay.  IWF is providing complimentary shuttle bus service operating between selected downtown and midtown hotels to and from the IWF show.  Walking is another choice if you’re staying downtown. 

Hotels:

Westin Peachtree AtlantaThere are plenty of hotel options in downtown Atlanta.  This option is great if you don’t want to rent a car and would like to enjoy all the amenities that the city has to offer within walking distance.  However, these hotels will be more expensive. If you are traveling by car or Marta, there are many choices outside of the downtown area.  You have the Midtown, Buckhead and Marietta areas to look for accommodations as well as other outlying areas.  Thermwood stays about 12 miles north of the city and although this sounds like a far drive with traffic, it actually isn’t bad if you can leave before or after the rush hour traffic.

Attractions/Dining:

Georgia AquariumThere are numerous activities to do in Atlanta and the surrounding areas like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Underground Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Botanical Gardens and much more.  If you’re a sports fan, this time of the year is great to catch an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field and if you’re lucky, maybe a preseason NFL game at the Georgia Dome.  There are plenty of places to eat and shop in Atlanta. 

 

Attending the IWF show:

IWF 2014Now that you have made it to the IWF show, a question will be “Where do I start”?  The International Woodworking Fair is located in Buildings A and B of the World Congress Center. 

“This place is huge.  I remember when this show also occupied all three buildings and the Georgia Dome.” – Jason Susnjara VP of Marketing – Thermwood

If you plan to walk the entire show, you might just need all four days.  Below are a few tips on how to decide to tackle this massive show: 

-          If you are interested in looking at industrial woodworking equipment, software and tooling then building B will have everything from finishing equipment, saws to CNC routers, software and material handling solutions.  Building B is what the exhibitors call the “noisy hall”

 

-          If you are interested in hardware, software tooling and more than building A is where these items would be located.  Building A will be what the exhibitors call the “quiet hall”.

Both buildings will have some of the same products from the same vendor such as software.  For example, you can find some of the same software companies in both buildings.  This helps if you’re looking for a machine and software package, you would be wise to visit Building B.  If a software purchase is your only goal, then visiting Building A will be the easier choice to hold a conversation. 

Jason’s Tips: 

Establish a list of priorities and gather as much information as possible by visiting the floor plan and exhibitor list that the IWF show provides online.

Wear comfortable shoes for your time walking the show. 

There are also numerous educational events throughout the entire show.  These can be found here.  There is a price for attending these educational seminars but from prior experiences, they are well worth the money. 

There is also a registration fee to attend the show.  You’re looking at $30 for pre-registration and $35 on-site.  This price is good for all four days.  If you’re attending the IWF show please visit the Attendee area of the www.iwfatlanta.com website for some more information.

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About the Cut Center

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jun 06, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, 3 Axis, Cut Center, Video, About

Insight and thoughts about the all new Thermwood Cut Center - a machine that makes cabinets, doors, moldings, closets, furniture and much more with NO Programming. 

Just tell it what you want and it makes it...it's that easy.  

 

find out more here

See videos and more info at cutready.com


The Most Significant Technical Advancement Since Nested Based Manufacturing

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jun 06, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, New, 3 Axis, Announcements, Technology, Cut Ready, Cut Center, cabinets, Video, doors, drawers, moldings

Thermwood Cut CenterDo you realize that nested based cabinet technology was first developed thirty years ago?

For technology, that’s ancient, and it really hasn’t changed much! It’s time for something new… something better… something easier… a lot easier

what is it?

It’s called a “cut center” and it’s really different. It makes virtually everything a cabinet shop needs, but there is no programming. That’s right, no computer, no software and no programming…none….EVER !

no programming?

A cut center doesn’t need programming because it already knows how to make cabinets, closets, furniture, doors, drawers, moldings and more…. thousands and thousands and thousands of designs. Just tell it what you want and it makes it, the size you want and the way you want

Thermwood has just announced the very first cut center, called "Cut Ready".  This amazing new technology has already been discovered by the business media and is being featured on Fox Business News, Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg International Europe and Bloomberg International Asia multiple times this summer and fall

The amazing thing about this machine is that it can be run by just about anyone, no special training, no special technical skills. This is manufacturing for the average person

Now cabinet shops can remain cabinet shops and not be enslaved by technology. It installs and you are in full production in a couple of hours.  It can be run by your current folks and make you a ton of money

more info

See videos and more info at cutready.com

 


 

New Option for Model 70 - 10 Position Automatic Rotary Tool Changer

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Apr 29, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, New, 5 Axis, Announcements, Model 70, 2014, Option, Retrofit

10 Position Automatic Rotary Tool Changer

A new option is now available for the Thermwood Model 70 CNC Router - A 10 Position Automatic Rotary Tool Changer.  

This new tool changer is contained in a protective housing that moves forward when tool changes are needed, and then back out of the working area to continue machining.  It expands the Model 70's capabilities with an additional 10 tooling positions.


Video


Images

Model 70 10 Position Rotary Tool Changer

 

Model 70 10 Position Rotary Tool Changer - Open


More Info

The 10 Position Automatic Rotary Tool Changer can be added to a new Model 70 as an option, or retrofitted to an existing machine.  Please Contact Thermwood Retrofits for more information on adding this option to your existing Model 70.

About the Model 70

 

Thermwood Model 70 10x20 CNC Router

The Thermwood Model 70 is designed for aerospace and composite applications utilizing large/heavy fixtures (various table sizes are available).


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2014 Thermwood Dealer Conference

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Apr 11, 2014

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Dealer Conference, CNC Automation, 2014, Tech Con, CAM Automatizacion, AAI

We recently held our 2014 Dealer Conference at our headquarters in Dale, IN. The purpose of this annual event is to get all of our domestic and international dealers together in round-table informative sessions to discuss sales strategies and also to present the exciting changes and new products we plan to release in the next year.

Of course, the conference isn't all work and no play!  It also gives everyone a chance to socialize and catch up on news, as well as the opportunity to award our top sellers special prizes at the awards dinner. 

This year, our top dealership was Tech Con.  Second and third places went to Automation Associates, Inc and CNC Automation out of Canada.  The award for the dealership with the Most Improved Sales for 2013 went to Thomas F. O’Brien, Inc.  The award for top International Sales went to CAM Automatizacion out of Mexico.  Congratulations, guys!


Thermwood Dealer Tech Con

Pictured above are: (l-r) Robert Vollmer (Tech Con), Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood) and Glenn Suss (Tech Con).


Thermwood Dealer Automation Associates

Pictured above are: (l-r) Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Mark Drone (Automation Associates, Inc) and Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood).


Thermwood Dealer CNC Automation

Pictured above (l-r) are: Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Andrew Legault (CNC Automation), Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood) and Bob Law (CNC Automation).


Thomas F. O’Brien, Inc. Thermwood Dealer

Pictured above are: (l-r) Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Thomas O'Brien (Thomas F. O’Brien, Inc.) and Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood).


CAM Automatizacion Thermwood Dealer

Pictured above are: (l-r) Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Pablo Macias (CAM Automatizacion) and Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood).


Thermwood Dealer Conference 2014

Thermwood personnel, domestic and international dealers socialize after hours during the 2014 Dealer Conference.

 

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


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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.

 


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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.

 

 

 

 


 

 


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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.

 



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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

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