LSAM 5 Axis Trimming Capabilities

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jun 14, 2024

Tags: 5 Axis, Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, 3D Print, Thermwood LSAM, Additive Manufacturing

LSAM 5 Axis Trimming Capabilities

๐Ÿ” Did you know our cutting-edge LSAM systems can be configured with a separate 5-axis trimming head?

๐Ÿš€ Like this LSAM 1020 flagship model, for example. It features a dual-gantry setup where one gantry can print while the other trims simultaneously, streamlining your workflow like never before!

 Hereโ€™s a quick rundown of our innovative models:

  • ๐‹๐’๐€๐Œ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ: A closed high-wall system with doors on each end, featuring a single control with both print and trim heads on one moving gantry. Efficient and compact!

  •  ๐‹๐’๐€๐Œ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ/๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŽ/๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ’๐ŸŽ: These models also feature a closed high-wall
    configuration with doors on each end, equipped with dual controls and dual gantries for separate print and trim operations. Perfect for maximizing productivity! 

  •  ๐‹๐’๐€๐Œ ๐Œ๐“: Designed with an open configuration, it has a single fixed gantry over a moving table, integrating print and trim functions seamlessly. 

  •  ๐‹๐’๐€๐Œ ๐€๐ ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ“/๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ: These systems offer an open configuration, with optional enclosures available. They focus on printing only, with a fixed gantry over a moving table, ideal for specialized tasks.  
We offer the broadest range of LFAM systems in the industry, to help you find the perfect solution for your needs and budget. But LSAM systems are more than just 3D printers - they're real production systems, capable of producing industrial fixtures, molds (including high temp), tooling, foundry patterns, prototypes and end products from a wide variety of both low and high temp materials.

๐—” ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ๐—”๐—  ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜€:
โ€ข LSAM systems offer three printing orientations - HLP (Horizontal Layer Printing), VLP (Vertical Layer Printing), allowing parts to be printed that are as long as the machine table and ALP (Angle Layer Printing), the ability to print at a 45 degree angle.
โ€ข With the fastest print heads in the industry, our LSAM systems can print at speeds from up to 200lbs per hours to over 500 lbs per hour.
โ€ข Choose from Print-only or Print-and-Trim combinations with table sizes ranging from 5โ€™x5โ€™ to 15โ€™x40โ€™ and beyond.
โ€ข Save both time and money over traditional methods - case study here: https://bit.ly/3zWoWjk
 
๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ:
We will next be printing LIVE at IMTS 2024 in Chicago, IL (booth #433103) starting on September 9th with an LSAM AP 510 - visit us to learn more about LSAM, or you can always contact us directly to arrange a personal demonstration at our corporate headquarters.
 
Learn More About LSAM:
LSAM 1540

LSAM 1540 Shown

Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

Another day, another 3D material qualification on Thermwood LSAM

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Sep 15, 2023

Tags: Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, 3D Print, Thermwood LSAM, Additive Manufacturing, CAMX

Did you know.... 

Once the LSAM Print 3D melt profile is is developed, it may be shared among all LSAM LFAM Large Scale Additive Manufacturing systems?
 
Commonality in components and advanced manufacturing practices enable this seamless transition.
 
This ability also makes LSAM material agnostic. LSAM owners are free to use ๐—”๐—ก๐—ฌ qualified 3D print material.
 
LSAM owners may also develop their own melt profiles by working directly with 3D polymer suppliers.
 
By the way - This makes 30 (THIRTY) qualified 3D printing polymers that are ready to run on LSAM!
 
How many can you run on your 3D printer?
 
More Info on LSAM: https://bit.ly/3GFE3RR
 
 

The market and technology leader in LFAM since 2016

 
We offer the broadest range of LFAM systems in the industry, to help you find the perfect solution for your needs and budget. But LSAM systems are more than just 3D printers - they're real production systems, capable of producing industrial fixtures, molds (including high temp), tooling, foundry patterns, prototypes and end products from a wide variety of both low and high temp materials.

๐—” ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ๐—”๐—  ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜€:
โ€ข LSAM systems offer three printing orientations - HLP (Horizontal Layer Printing), VLP (Vertical Layer Printing), allowing parts to be printed that are as long as the machine table and ALP (Angle Layer Printing), the ability to print at a 45 degree angle.
โ€ข With the fastest print heads in the industry, our LSAM systems can print at speeds from up to 200lbs per hours to over 500 lbs per hour.
โ€ข Choose from Print-only or Print-and-Trim combinations with table sizes ranging from 5โ€™x5โ€™ to 15โ€™x40โ€™ and beyond.
โ€ข Save both time and money over traditional methods - case study here: https://bit.ly/3zWoWjk
 
๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ:
We will next be printing LIVE at CAMX 2023 in Atlanta, GA (booth #Q8) starting on October 31st with an LSAM AP 510 - visit us to learn more about LSAM, or you can always contact us directly to arrange a personal demonstration at our corporate headquarters.

Don't settle for less when it comes to your production process. Upgrade to Thermwood's LSAM system and take your manufacturing to the next level! Visit https://bit.ly/3GFE3RR to learn more about LSAM.

Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

LSAM has been the market and technology leader in LFAM since 2016

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jul 07, 2023

Tags: Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, 3D Print, Thermwood LSAM, Additive Manufacturing

The market and technology leader in LFAM since 2016

Since 2016, Thermwood has proudly established itself as the unrivaled leader in Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM). Our groundbreaking LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) systems have revolutionized the industry, setting new standards for market dominance and technological innovation.

 
We offer the broadest range of LFAM systems in the industry, to help you find the perfect solution for your needs and budget. But LSAM systems are more than just 3D printers - they're real production systems, capable of producing industrial fixtures, molds (including high temp), tooling, foundry patterns, prototypes and end products from a wide variety of both low and high temp materials.

๐—” ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ๐—”๐—  ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜€:
โ€ข LSAM systems offer three printing orientations - HLP (Horizontal Layer Printing), VLP (Vertical Layer Printing), allowing parts to be printed that are as long as the machine table and ALP (Angle Layer Printing), the ability to print at a 45 degree angle.
โ€ข With the fastest print heads in the industry, our LSAM systems can print at speeds from up to 200lbs per hours to over 500 lbs per hour.
โ€ข Choose from Print-only or Print-and-Trim combinations with table sizes ranging from 5โ€™x5โ€™ to 15โ€™x40โ€™ and beyond.
โ€ข Save both time and money over traditional methods - case study here: https://bit.ly/3zWoWjk
 
๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ:
We will next be printing LIVE at CAMX 2023 in Atlanta, GA (booth #Q8) starting on October 31st with an LSAM AP 510 - visit us to learn more about LSAM, or you can always contact us directly to arrange a personal demonstration at our corporate headquarters.

Don't settle for less when it comes to your production process. Upgrade to Thermwood's LSAM system and take your manufacturing to the next level! Visit https://bit.ly/3GFE3RR to learn more about LSAM.

Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

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 wasnโ€™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

Take a Tour of the Thermwood LSAM

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Sep 24, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Video, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, LSAM 1020

Take a Tour of the Thermwood LSAM

LSAM Product Manager, Scott Vaal, takes you on an informative tour of the Thermwood LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing), a unique solution for large scale additive manufacturing.

LSAM is a complete system that can both print to near net shape and then machine the print to its net shape.  By far, the fastest way to 3D print large tools or parts.

Stay tuned for the next release in this exciting new series of videos from Thermwood!


LSAM Info Request

Watch a Thermwood LSAM 1020 3D Print a Multi-Piece Foundry Pattern

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Mar 17, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Video, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, Pattern, Foundry, LSAM 1020

Thermwood recently completed a 3D printed multi-piece foundry pattern.  The pattern was printed on an LSAM 1020, and machined on a Thermwood 5 Axis Model 90 (because of other projects that were pending on the LSAM).

The pattern was printed out of ABS (20% carbon fiber fill).  Print time for the project was 6 hours and 40 minutes, and the trim time was a little over 47 hours with multiple fixture setups.

Click below to watch a video of the process:

The final pattern after trimming

The final pattern after trimming

The completed and assembled pattern.
The completed and assembled pattern.

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.


Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

Thermwood will be exhibiting in next week's Aerodef show in Fort Worth, TX

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Mar 12, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Trade Shows, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, AeroDef


Thermwood LSAM Series Machines

Thermwood will be at AeroDef 2020Aerodef 2020 (March 17th and 18th) in Fort Worth, TX, starts next week, and Thermwood will be there (Booth #615) to talk LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing).

We will have the the 18 1/2 foot long Bell Helicopter Blade Mold on hand in addition to other 3D printed samples to see and touch as well as videos and literature.  Our knowledgeable sales staff will also be on hand to help answer any questions you may have about the future of Large Scale Additive Manufacturing and how the Thermwood LSAM can help your company charge ahead in this new area. 

18 1/2 foot long Bell Helicopter Blade Mold

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.

Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

 

Thermwood Announces Another New LSAM Model

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Mar 05, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, LSAM 1010

Thermwood recently announced the LSAM MT, a lower cost moving table version of its industry-leading LSAM (large scale additive system). Although Thermwood has hundreds of open moving table CNC routers in operation, similar in configuration to the MT, and believes this configuration will also work for many LSAM customers, several larger customers requested an enclosed machine configuration that is the same size as the MT, but configured like the larger LSAM high wall systems. 

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


The new LSAM 1010 has both the print and trim heads on same the gantry just like the LSAM MT.
The new LSAM 1010 has both the print and trim heads on same the gantry just like the LSAM MT.

The new LSAM 1010 has both the print and trim heads on same the gantry just like the LSAM MT.


The Details

A single moving gantry on the LSAM 1010 carries both the print and trim heads just like on the MT.
A single moving gantry on the LSAM 1010 carries both the print and trim heads just like on the 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.

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.
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.

Although the LSAM 1010 is slightly higher in price than the MT, it is noticeably less than the larger LSAMs and generally less than the cost and complexity of trying to add an external enclosure to the MT.

In addition, even though the LSAM 1010 is slightly wider than the larger LSAMs (to accommodate mounting both the print and trim heads on the same gantry), the overall footprint of the 1010 is actually slightly smaller than required for the MT. And, like the MT, the 1010 can be purchased as a print only machine. 

Thermwood believes that, since it is enclosed like the larger LSAMs, the LSAM 1010 can be built to meet European CE requirements, just like the larger machines.

With the introduction of the LSAM 1010, it is 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.

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.


Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

CGTech and Thermwood Team up to Simulate Additive & Hybrid Machining

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Feb 27, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, LSAM MT, CGTech, Vericut, Simulation

CGTech, makers of industry leading VERICUT software, has partnered with Thermwood to simulate both the additive 3-D Printing and subtractive machining capabilities of their LSAM machines.

LSAM is designed for large scale 3-D printing of thermoplastic polymers. Thermwoodโ€™s LSAM machines utilize unique patented technology to produce the highest quality thermoplastic polymer printed structures available. The machines feature both additive and subtractive heads to accommodate printing and trimming of large scale โ€œnear net shapeโ€ parts on the same machine. Thermwoodโ€™s LSAM machines are available in Dual Gantry and Moving Table models, in a variety of sizes. Both systems can process high temperature polymers which are ideal for autoclave capable tooling or compression molds for thermoset materials.

"We have over 55 patented features (and over a dozen more pending) that set the LSAM apart from any other large scale additive system available today.  Features like our chilled roller wheel, vertical layer printing system and LSAM Print 3D software make us the clear leader in large scale additive manufacturing,โ€ says Dennis Palmer, Vice President of Sales at Thermwood. "VERICUT is an important tool to use with LSAM.  It assures that the tool path is correct, eliminating the possibility of expensive mishaps."

Vericut LSAM simulation

VERICUT's Additive module simulates both additive 3-D printing and traditional machining capabilities of hybrid CNC machines to verify that the full manufacturing process will work,and the finished part matches the intended engineered design. VERICUT simulates adding or cutting, in any sequence, making it the perfect solution for verification, simulation and optimization of Thermwood's industrial LSAM machines.

Vericut LSAM simulation

CGTechโ€™s VERICUT Product Manger, Gene Granata, says โ€œCGTech is thrilled to be working closely with the Thermwood team to provide the highest degree of simulation possible for their large scale additive machines. VERICUTโ€™s Additive and hybrid simulation software is a perfect match for the LSAMโ€™s highly versatile and capable environment."

Vericut LSAM simulation

To learn more about the partnership and see an LSAM simulation in action, click here.

About CGTech

About CGTechCGTechโ€™s VERICUTยฎ software is the standard for CNC simulation, verification, optimization, analysis, and additive manufacturing. CGTech also offers programming and simulation software for composites automated fiber-placement, tape-laying, and drilling/fastening CNC machines. VERICUT software is used by companies of different sizes in all industries. Established in 1988, and headquartered in Irvine, California; CGTech has offices worldwide. For more information: visit the CGTech website at cgtech.com, call (949) 753-1050, or email info@cgtech.com.

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.

Thermwood offers a full line of LSAM sizes to fit almost any application
LSAM line of Additive Manufacturing Machines


Click for More Info on the Thermwood LSAM

Thermwood Introduces New LSAM Model

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Nov 18, 2019

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, 3D printing, Additive, LSAM, LSAM MT

At its 50th Anniversary Gala Open House, Thermwood introduced and demonstrated an all new LSAM additive manufacturing machine model, offering even more choices for large scale additive manufacturing applications. Called LSAM MT, the new machine offers an all new configuration and significant advantages in certain applications.

Crowds watch the LSAM MT demonstration at the Thermwood 50th Anniversary Gala Open House

Crowds watch the LSAM MT demonstration at the Thermwood 50th Anniversary Gala Open House

Video

Please click below to see a video of the LSAM MT in action!

 

The Details

Unlike standard LSAM systems, which feature dual gantries operating over a large fixed table, the MT (which stands for โ€œMoving Tableโ€) features a single fixed gantry mounted over a moving table. Available with a 10x10 foot table, this configuration offers several significant advantages, not the least of which is a dramatically lower price.

Despite the lower price, the LSAM MT is still a massive, robust industrial production machine capable of reliable, day in and day out production. Unlike standard LSAM systems, the MT can be configured as a โ€œPrint Onlyโ€ machine. The logic for this is simple.

Despite the lower price, the LSAM MT is still a massive, robust industrial production machine

Despite the lower price, the LSAM MT is still a massive, robust industrial production machine

New Options

Near net shape printed tools dramatically reduce machining time for many companies currently machining tools from solid blocks of material. This frees up significant machining capacity which is already purchased and installed. For these companies, it makes no sense to purchase additional machining capacity with their additive system, since the change to additive frees up more than enough existing capacity to handle everything they can print. With this in mind, Thermwood decided to offer both โ€œPrint and Trimโ€ and a โ€œPrint Onlyโ€ versions of the MT.

The MT is available with a 10 foot by 10 foot table. The 10 x 10 machine actually has a 10 x 12 foot table with a 10 x 10 working area. The extra 2 foot is used to mount an optional Vertical Layer Print table. The 10 x 10 foot MT can be equipped with a new version of Thermwoodโ€™s patented Vertical Layer Printing technology. This means that it can make parts up to 10'x10' by 5 foot high using traditional Horizontal Layer Printing or, 5'x10' by 10 foot high using Vertical Layer Printing.

Since the print technology and print heads used on the MT are the same as used on the larger machines it offers the same throughput, print quality and layer to layer fusion that has made LSAM the leader in large scale additive manufacturing. As with the larger systems, the MT can process high temperature polymers which are ideal for autoclave capable tooling or compression molds for thermoset materials.

The large demonstration part printed at the open house is one of twenty similar parts which when combined become a production mold for a large yacht hull

The large demonstration part printed at the open house is one of twenty similar parts which when combined become a production mold for a large yacht hull

With the same print technology as used on the larger LSAM machines, the MT offers the same throughput, print quality and layer to layer fusion that has made LSAM the leader in large scale additive manufacturing
With the same print technology as used on the larger LSAM machines, the MT offers the same throughput, print quality and layer to layer fusion that has made LSAM the leader in large scale additive manufacturing

The LSAM MT is the ideal additive machine for a variety of exciting new applications

The LSAM MT is the ideal additive machine for a variety of exciting new applications

Things to Consider

With the addition of the MT, selecting the best size and configuration for an LSAM may not be quite as straightforward as it first appears. It depends on two major factors plus some additional considerations. The major factors are the material being printed and the size of the parts needed. Of these two, the material being printed is the most significant.

Thermwood offers a full line of LSAM sizes to fit almost any application

Thermwood offers a full line of LSAM sizes to fit almost any application

For purposes of machine selection, reinforced thermoplastic composite materials for room temperature or low temperature applications such as foundry patterns, boat plugs, boat and yacht molds, building structures and the like can generally be bonded securely with a variety of industrial adhesives. For these type of parts, even for really large parts, the smaller less expensive machine may be a better choice. The part can be separated into sections which can be printed individually and bonded into the final, potentially extremely large structure.

Although it seems counter-intuitive, this approach can be faster than printing the large structure as a single piece on a larger, more expensive machine. To better understand this we turn to the basics of the print process. Additive manufactured parts are printed in layers. The speed at which a layer can be printed depends primarily on how long it takes for the polymer being printed to cool enough to support the next layer. This layer cooling time depends on the polymer and is not affected by the size of the part. Each layer of a particular polymer takes the same amount of time, regardless of how big it is.

LSAM print heads can print faster, sometimes significantly faster than needed for most parts. Often it can print two three or more parts in the cooling time required for each layer. The large machine is only printing a single part, one layer at a time, making it two or three time slower. To print the part in one piece, the large machine must operate continuously, around the clock, sometimes for days.  This is not a problem for factories that operate on all three shifts but can present staffing problems for single shift operations. With the MT, several different segments of the same part can often be printed in a single shift. Depending on the item being printed, it is possible to print as much in a single shift as the large machine, printing a single part, can do in 24 hours.

For large parts made from bondable materials, often the smaller, less expensive machine is a better choice.

Materials intended for high temperature applications, PSU, PESU, PEI, Ultem, etc. generally are resistant enough to solvents that they canโ€™t be effectively bonded. Even if they could, few if any, adhesives exist that can withstand the operating temperature or the thermal cycling these materials experience. For these applications, the machine needs to be large enough to print the part in one piece, even though it could be slower. This is where larger machine configurations are needed. The larger machines also offer the ability to print and trim at the same time, which may be beneficial in some circumstances.

Since the print heads are the same on all Thermwood LSAMs, the smaller MT can be used for these high temperature parts, provided they fit in the available envelope.

Just like the standard LSAMs, the MT comes complete, fully engineered with everything needed for production operation. 

About Thermwood Corporation

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible 3 & 5 axis high-speed machining centers known as CNC routers.

Thermwood has also become the technology and market leader in large scale additive manufacturing systems for thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.

10โ€™ x 10โ€™ LSAM MT (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing)
10โ€™ x 10โ€™ LSAM MT (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing)


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