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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Virtual Tour of Thermwood Corporation

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Aug 16, 2012

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, Training, Support, US made, Service, introduction, History, virtual tour, factory

An introduction to Thermwood Corporation and our products and services.  A virtual tour covering history, innovations, fabrication, machines, demonstrations, service, support, training, engineering, quality control and much more.

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.          

eCabinet Systems Technical Support Policy

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Nov 08, 2011

Tags: eCabinet Systems, Cabinet, Training, online, Support

Where to go for help:

eCabinet Systems Forum

The best place for eCabinet Systems software users to turn for technical help is the Member Forum on the eCabinet Systems web site. Most common questions have been addressed and many users stand ready to offer help and suggestions. This is a huge resource full of tips, techniques and suggestions. If your question cannot be resolved by searching, then post the question on the forum. The forum is monitored by many eCabinet Systems users, as well as Thermwood staff and you can often be notified of a resolution within minutes, regardless of your geographical location and time zone. As an extra benefit, questions answered on the forum are available for others in the future, making it even more valuable.

Online Video Training:


eCabinet Systems Online TrainingAlthough the software includes a user’s manual, to really learn to use the software in a timely manner, Thermwood offers an online video training program for eCabinet Systems. This is a low-cost monthly subscription which can be started and stopped at any time. It offers extensive training in all aspects of eCabinet Systems software. It is available when you want and you learn at your own pace. Anyone that plans to operate a business using eCabinet Systems software should subscribe to this video training. It will save you huge amounts of time, will make you more efficient and help you to get full benefit from all aspects of the program.

Five-day On-site Class:

Thermwood also offers a formal eCabinet Systems training class for those who want to unleash the full potential of this powerful program as quickly as possible. This is a week-long class, conducted at Thermwood and includes a one year subscription to the video training program above.

Phone Support:

For questions that just can’t be answered any other way, Thermwood offers phone support to anyone currently subscribed to the video program or anyone that is operating a Thermwood CNC router using eCabinet Systems. It is not practical to extend phone support to anyone not a current subscriber to the video program because most answers to operating questions refer you to sections of the online video.

We can offer phone assistance if you are having problems with initial installation but before you call make sure your problem hasn’t been addressed on the forum and that you don’t have a firewall or other program blocking access to the registration code. These firewall programs are the most common problem encountered during installation.

eCabinet Systems/Shopbot Link at the 2010 ShopBot Jamboree

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Tags: eCabinet Systems, CNC, CNC output, CNC Routers, Announcements, Trade Shows, CNC Router, Training, Shopbot, Jamboree, Dennis Englert, Durham, NC, Link

If you are planning to attend the 2010 ShopBot Jamboree held tomorrow April 23rd and Saturday April 24th in Durham, NC, you will want to check out the informative eCabinet Systems presentation hosted by Dennis Englert. 

Dennis is the Manager of Product Training here at Thermwood, and is a guru with eCabinet Systems.  He is also the author and voice behind our popular eCabinet Systems Online Training program

eCabinet Systems ShopBot LinkDennis will be representing Thermwood and more specifically, eCabinet Systems at the Jamboree. He will be demonstrating the power and flexibility of eCabinet Systems as well as how you can use the ShopBot/eCabinet Systems Link to export your eCabinet Systems .twd files into a format that will run on a ShopBot.

He will have the ShopBot/eCabinet Systems Link on-hand for purchase as well as "The Nearly Complete Guide to eCabinet Systems".

Make plans now to attend the Jamboree and experience the eCabinet Systems presentation for expert guidance and tips.

eCabinet Systems Online Training Special

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Apr 27, 2009

Tags: eCabinet Systems, Announcements, Training, Incentive, Cost, Special

eCabinet Systems All New Website

We expect to officially release the extensive eCabinet Systems online training program by mid-May and are continuously adding sections up to that point.

A one year subscription to the eCabinet Systems Online Training program costs $950, and includes a hard copy of the 700 page Nearly Complete Guide to eCabinet Systems. After the first year, the training subscription can be extended for $350 per year.

About the Course:

We currently have 20 hours of tutorials available with the program, and more is being added everyday. The training course covers all subjects taught in Thermwood's week long eCabinet Systems Training Program without the travel and lodging costs.

This is an extensive, detailed course that will guide you through every function and capability of this extraordinary software. It is presented in clear, easy to understand language that will unleash the incredible power of eCabinet Systems.

To view more information or purchase the eCabinet Systems Online Training -
Please Click Here

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