Thermwood LSAM 2020 Year in Review

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Dec 09, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Video, 3D printing, LSAM, Thermwood LSAM, LSAM MT, LSAM 1010, LSAM 1020, 2020, Review

LSAM_SeriesRV3_2020_mod.fw-1Thermwood LSAM 2020 - Year in Review

The last 12 months have seen an incredible level of disruption in all industries, fueled in large part by the coronavirus pandemic.  COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of the global economy, from manufacturing to supply chains to travel.

The additive industry wasn’t spared, with event cancellations and disruptions to regular business becoming the norm.  Thermwood pivoted in 2020 to continue our focus on innovation and development with our LSAM (Large Scale Additive Systems) line, and have made many new discoveries and advancements in our additive manufacturing program.

Below, we highlight some of the notable LSAM moments from 2020 that leaves us hopeful for the future of large scale additive manufacturing in 2021 and beyond:

LSAM Info Request


March 5th - Thermwood Announces Another New LSAM Model

Thermwood Introduces the LSAM 1010

To address the need for a lower cost enclosed additive machine, Thermwood developed the LSAM 1010. This system uses the walls from the larger LSAM systems with the gantry, control and sub-systems from the LSAM MT. 

The LSAM 1010 features a fixed 10 foot by 10 foot table. A single moving gantry carries both the print and trim heads as on the MT and, like the MT, it can both print and trim (but not at the same time). The print and trim heads on all Thermwood LSAMs are the same, so all machines can process virtually any reinforced composite thermoplastic materials available today.

With the introduction of the LSAM 1010, it became clear that Thermwood is committed to responding to customer requests and providing its industry-leading LSAM additive manufacturing technology in a variety of configurations to better fit varying customer requirements.


March 17th - Thermwood LSAM 1020 Quickly 3D Prints a Multi-Piece Foundry Pattern

 

This was a great exercise to demonstrate the capabilities of an LSAM to quickly make a multi-piece foundry pattern out of ABS (20% carbon fiber fill). 

The pattern was printed on an LSAM 1020 in 6 hours and 40 minutes, and machined on a Thermwood 5 Axis Model 90 (because of other projects that were pending on the LSAM).

More info


June 25th - Thermwood Builds Massive Metalworking Machine to Increase LSAM Production

Thermwood Builds Massive Metalworking Machine to Increase LSAM Production

Thermwood designed, fabricated and put into operation the largest machine it has ever built. The metalworking machine, dubbed internally as the M400, weighs 51 Tons (103,000 pounds) and is mounted on a special isolated, double steel reinforced concrete pad. It has a 15 foot wide, 35 foot long floor level steel table that by itself weighs 21,000 pounds.

More info


August 27th - Thermwood LSAM MT VLP Prints a High Temperature Part

In August, Thermwood demonstrated it's VLP (Vertical Layer Printing) capabilities on an LSAM MT 1010.  The high-temperature part was printed out of Techmer PM blended 25% carbon fiber filled PSU/PESU. 

Total print time for the project was 16 hours and 40 minutes, and the final weight of the part was 1,190 lbs.  The final part dimensions were 108.6" (x) x 33" (Y) x 45" (Z).

More info


September 17th - Thermwood and General Atomics Partner on Additive Tool with $50,000 Cost Savings

In September, Thermwood partnered with General Atomics to produce a CNC trim tool.  The tool was printed from ABS (20% Carbon Fiber Filled) in 16 hours.  Total machining time was 32 hours.  The final part weighed 1,190 lbs, and represented a cost savings of around $50,000 when compared to traditional methods.

Total lead time for the part decreased from 6-8 weeks to less than 2 weeks by utilizing the powerful LSAM system.

More info


September 24th - Take a Tour of the Thermwood LSAM

Also in September, LSAM Product Manager, Scott Vaal, took us on an informative tour of the Thermwood LSAM.

In this tour, Scott explains all the different aspects of the Thermwood LSAM and provides insight into this unique solution for large scale additive manufacturing.  

More info


October 22nd - A New Approach to 3D Printing a Yacht Hull Mold

A New Approach to 3D Printing a Yacht Hull Mold

In October, Thermwood printed a several sections from a 51 foot long yacht hull mold to demonstrate how only a single mold may be needed for the manufacture of larger vessels, such as yachts. 

The printed sections of this test mold were made of carbon fiber reinforced ABS from Techmer PM. ABS was chosen because of its physical properties and relatively low cost compared to other reinforced thermoplastics

More info


LSAM Info Request

Thermwood 2020 Scholarship Recipients

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jun 10, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Scholarship, 2020

Thermwood is proud to announce that we will be awarding six scholarships to dependents of associates for the Class of 2020. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 renewable scholarship. 

Since the introduction of these renewable scholarships, Thermwood has awarded over $200,000 to students wishing to further their education. 

Cody-1

Cody Frakes is the son of Dawn Tullis of Santa Claus, IN and Jonathan Frakes.  He is a graduate of Heritage Hills High School. 

He has been a member of Beta Club, Rock/Paper/Scissors Club, Yearbook Staff and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).  Cody was a member of the 2019 State Finalist Team and also received Academic All-State for Football. 

He plans to study at Indiana University in the fall.

 

 

 

 

HannahSchnuck-1Hannah Schnuck is the daughter of Greg and Janie Schnuck of Santa Claus, IN.  She is a graduate of Heritage Hills High School. 

She has been involved in Beta Club, Student Council and Pep Club.  Hannah participated in Feed My Starving Children and coached 7th grade volleyball.  She was part of the Patriot Volleyball team and received Volleyball All-Conference PAC 2018/2019 and Volleyball All-State 1st Team 2019. 

Hannah plans to attend Indiana University to study Business Management. 



Jordan Yates-1Jordan Yates is the daughter of Seth and Angie Yates of Lynnville, IN.  She is a graduate of Tecumseh High School. 

She has been involved in Drama Club, Art Club, Tribe and President of National Honor Society.  Jordan was a member of the Varsity Swim and Golf team.  She also was a member of the THS Dinner Theatre and the THS production of “The Little Mermaid”.  She is the recipient of the Rising Star of Indiana award, Top Ten and ETFCU $5,000 Ted Hitch Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Jordan plans to attend University of Louisville for Biochemistry.

HaleyMcDaniel-1Haley McDaniel is the daughter of Jason and Tammy McDaniel of Lynnville, IN.  She is a graduate of Tecumseh High School. 

She has been involved in the Drama Department, Art Club, Academic Team, Marching Band, Drum Major, Pep Band and Concert Band. 

Haley plans to continue her education at Ivy Tech Community College.

 

 

 

AddisonFella-1Addison Fella is the daughter of Audrie and Michael Leisman of Tell City, IN.  She is a graduate of Tell City High School. 

She was president of the Pep Club, a member of the Spanish and Advocate Club.  Addison participated on the high school Volleyball and Basketball teams.  She was also involved on traveling Volleyball and Softball teams.  She also received All Conference PAC for Volleyball.  

Addison will continue her education and Volleyball career at IU South Bend this fall, and pursue a degree in Exercise Science.

 

 

IanTreat-1Ian Treat is the son of Ryan and Alison Treat of Ferdinand, IN.  He is a graduate of Forest Park High School. 

Ryan was a member of SADD, Builders Club and Baseball Club K-8.  He also participated in High School Baseball and Football. 

Ian plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College to join the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Program.  

 

Thermwood would like to congratulate all seniors of the Class of 2020 and wish them the very best in their future studies and endeavors!