We recently held our 2013 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 CNC Automation out of Canada.  Second and third places went to Automation Associates, Inc and Tech Con.  The award for the dealership with the Most Improved Sales for 2012 went to CNC Solutions.  The award for top International Sales went to Tervelli out of Turkey.  Congratulations, guys!

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

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

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).

Pictured above are: (l-r) Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Phil Marker (CNC Solutions) and Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood).

Pictured above are: (l-r) Dennis Palmer (VP Sales for Thermwood), Cumhur Arslanoğlu (Tervelli) and Jason Susnjara (VP Marketing for Thermwood).

Thermwood CEO Ken Susnjara gives a demonstration during the 2013 Dealer Conference.

Scott Vaal demonstrates the 5 Axis Alignment Verification Routine during the 2013 Dealer Conference.

Thermwood personnel, domestic and international dealers socialize after hours during the 2013 Dealer Conference.

Thermwood to Demonstrate New Auto-Labeling and Unload System on Model 43 and Solid Wood Machining on Model 45

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

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'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:

• Verify the measurements
• Create the shape using Shape Manager in eCabinet Systems
• Create Tool
• Apply Tool to create Shape

• 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.

Thermwood has developed our new Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine which is used to record and populate the alignment measurement values into the Thermwood QCore control system (after machine alignments are manually performed).  

This routine automatically checks alignment in multiple axes and allows alignment to be quickly verified between jobs.  The routine compares the measured values to the default values.

The Thermwood 5 Axis Alignment Verification Routine includes:

• Renishaw high-tolerance tooling sensor
• Precision ground pin
• Dedicated tool holder
• Collet and all mounting hardware.

For more information on the Five Axis Alignment Verification Routine, please contact us at 1-800-533-6901.

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.

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

Scouts watch the Model 43 machining out Boy Scout emblem puzzles

Scouts watch the Model 45 machining out their personalized name plaques

Boy Scout emblem puzzles and personalized name plaques

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:

Here is our latest video featuring the Thermwood Model 43 CNC Router with the new Auto Labeling option for nested based production (auto labeling option available on the Model 43 and the MTR 21): 

Model 43 features:

• 12 HP (3,000-24,000 RMP) Spindle
• Universal Vacuum 1 or 2 Zones
• 11 Position Automatic Tool Changer
• Rapid Speed:  3500 inches per minute
• QCore SuperControl
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives
• Volumetric 3D Laser-Compensated Axis Alignment
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support

Model 43 CNC Router

Reprinted from The Wichita Eagle

Woodsong Cabinet & Trim at 100 W. 61st St. North Suite E in Park City, is expanding from commercial millwork into custom-cut furniture.

“I see a lot of potential with it to help diversify us into another line of work, which I think is very important these days,” said Carolyn Pierce, who owns Woodsong Cabinet & Trim with her husband, Randy.

Woodsong is now a YouBuild Cut Center. Customers can select a piece of furniture online and have it cut at the local store, with or without assembly.

The furniture styles are modular, and customers can pick the type of wood, configuration, dimensions and finish at www.YouBuild.com. The order is sent to the nearest YouBuild Cut Center for cutting and labeling.

The furniture is made of American-grown lumber plywood and is formaldehyde free.

“We’re excited about this,” Pierce said. “It’s just a really neat concept, and I think it has a lot of potential for the customers.”

The company, which has been in business since 1998, had seven employees last year and is now down to three, Pierce said.

They hope the new service and partnership will help the business and allow it to hire more employees.

“If YouBuild gets up and going, there’s potential there to look to expand again,” Pierce said.

The YouBuild program is affiliated with Thermwood Corporation, a manufacturing technology company based in Dale, Ind.

Woodsong uses a Thermwood millwork machine, and that’s how the business learned about the YouBuild program, Pierce said.

Woodsong’s business has focused mainly on clinics, pharmacies, schools and similar projects. A few years ago, the company focused on packages for restaurants nationwide.

“When the recession hit, the restaurant business was one of the first to take a hit in commercial building,” Pierce said. “Since then, we switched back to local contractors and a local focus.”

Now, Woodsong is looking for local businesses to help market the custom-cut furniture.

“It’s a fairly new concept. We’re looking for a design center to get the product out here into clientele hands,” Pierce said.

You can find more information in the YouBuild section of the eCabinet Systems web site and at youbuild.com.

Our annual Christmas party was held today, and it was a fun time for everyone to gather near the Model 77 and enjoy great food and fellowship:

As we head into the new year, we are grateful for all of the positive business that we've enjoyed in 2012, and encouraged that 2013 promises to be even better!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at Thermwood!

Thermwood's CNC Router Refurbishment Program:
Thermwood Corporation’s Technical Service division has an ongoing machine refurbishment program that offers high-quality refurbished Thermwood CNC Routers at affordable prices. These machines are purchased by Thermwood and brought back to our facility for a complete refurbishment process.

3 Axis CNC Router BEFORE Thermwood Refurbishment

3 Axis CNC Router AFTER Thermwood Refurbishment

5 Axis CNC Router BEFORE Thermwood Refurbishment

5 Axis CNC Router AFTER Thermwood Refurbishment

Bring Your Used Machine up to Modern Standards:
This procedure not only applies to Thermwood owned machines, but also to customer-owned machines to bring them up to today’s standards.

Thermwood Refurbished Machine - What Do You Get?
Every one of these machines has been completely refurbished by Thermwood Corporation. They have been completely disassembled, sand blasted, painted and re-assembled back to new machine specifications. All components have been inspected and either refurbished or replaced with new components. Once the machine refurbishment process was completed, the machines went through the same quality control testing as a new machine. The machine has a 1-year parts and labor warranty.

Here are just a few of things that are typically replaced during the refurbishment process (these are valuable upgrades that you will not receive when purchasing a used machine from an after-market dealer):

• Machine Worktable

• Spindle

• Wiring

• Power Track

• Servo Drives

• Control System.

All Refurbished Thermwood CNC Routers undergo an extensive process:

Step 1:  Machine stripped down to base metal

 Step 2:  Machine gantry primed for paint

 Step 3:  Machine base primed for paint

 Step 4:  Machine gantry painted

 Step 5:  Machine base painted

 Step 6:  Repainted machine re-assembled and wired

  Step 7:  New Thermwood SuperControl added

 Step 8:  New spindle installed

  Step 9:  Optional equipment installed

  Step 9:  Vacuum plumbing added

  Step 10:  New table tops added

 Step 11:  Finishing touches added

  Step 12:  Completed machine!

Why buy a Thermwood Factory Refurbished Machine instead of a used CNC Router:

• You’re buying a machine that has been factory-dissembled, re-assembled and inspected.

• Any components that do not meet factory specifications are replaced, if there is any question of a component’s integrity, it is replaced.

• All Refurbished machines come with a full factory warranty - This warranty is one-year parts and labor.

• You are getting a machine that has been enhanced with the new Thermwood SuperControl with the latest version of Windows technology. This is the same control that ships with new machines, and is designed from its very core to operate a CNC Router with efficiency and higher productivity. It is a fully multitasking control utilizing an Intel® Core™ 5th Generation Six Core Processor. It features a high level of hardware integration, extensive use of reliable surface mount technology and a built in upgrade path for future technology.

• You are buying a machine that includes a full 5-day operators training course located at Thermwood Corporation in Dale, Indiana.

• You are not buying someone else’s problems caused by neglect, as can be the case with buying a used machine from another source.  These machines are fully disassembled, painted and reassembled back to new machine factory standards.

• These machines go through a complete quality control inspection to insure each machine meets factory specifications before they leave the factory.

• A full technical service division for service and parts supports all Thermwood Refurbished machines. This includes Free Lifetime Phone and Forum Support, the ability to upgrade in the future, and support with program questions for your specific machine. One year of  Advanced Support (including Virtual Service) is standard with all refurbished machines. 

• You may also choose to list your company with our Free Production Sharing Service. 

A new YouBuild Cut Center is now open in Spiceland, IN (near Indianapolis, IN) offering custom closets, furniture, home, office and business furnishings at quality and price levels not seen before.

Spiceland Wood Products

609 South Pearl Street

Spiceland, IN 47385

Phone:  (765) 987-8156

Email:  rob@spicelandwood.com

Contact:  Rob Davis

*For more information, and to order online, please visit youbuild.com.

About YouBuild:

Working through a local YouBuild Cut Center or online at youbuild.com, you choose from a vast assortment of designs, customize them exactly to what you want and order. Your order is electronically sent to an automated production machine at your local YouBuild Cut Center. They process your custom parts which you then either pick up and assemble yourself, saving even more, or arrange to have the YouBuild Cut Center assemble, deliver and install.  This method is as efficient as it gets, which means the lowest possible prices.

The YouBuild program offers over a thousand unique designs for home and office furniture and closets, some by renowned furniture designers. What makes this even more unique is that these designs can be customized and are available in four real wood species, walnut, maple, oak and cherry, either finished or unfinished. The wood, specially-made for YouBuild by Columbia Forest Products (the largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood in North America), is high-quality and formaldehyde-free for a healthier environment.

You can find more information in the YouBuild section of the eCabinet Systems web site and at youbuild.com.