IMTS 2024 Recap

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Sep 18, 2024

Tags: Thermwood, Trade Shows, IMTS, LSAM, LSAM Additive Printers, LSAM AP, CLA, 2024, Recap

Highlights from the recent IMTS show held in Chicago!

IMTS 2024 Recap

It was a pleasure to showcase our innovative technologies, including the LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) Additive Printer 510, which printed live, high-temperature (350°F) autoclave-capable aerospace tooling throughout the event!

Each day, we featured a different high-temperature material from leading 3DP material providers. Two tools were printed daily, each tool weighing 215 lbs and printed in 5 hours.

Purdue CMSC on hand at IMTS
We were also proud to highlight our collaboration with Purdue University’s Composites Manufacturing & Simulation Center (CMSC). The printed autoclave tool incorporated Purdue’s ADDITIVE3D simulation process to predict and compensate for shape changes due to residual stresses, interlayer bonding and deformation. Full scale tool samples showcasing vacuum integrity, surface quality and part precision were displayed for attendees.

Cut Layer Additive (CLA) Featured at IMTS

In addition, we featured our Cut Layer Additive (CLA) manufacturing process, a cutting-edge approach for creating tools, patterns and molds using sliced layer lamination. CLA enables the use of materials that are not 3D-printable and integrates features for vacuum, coolant and assembly – representing the future of mold manufacturing.

For More Information

If you’d like a closer look at our capabilities, we invite you to visit our complete demonstration center in Dale, Indiana (either in person or virtually).  Please contact us at sales@thermwood.com or call 1-800-533-6901 to arrange a personal demonstration.

IWF 2024 Day 2 Recap

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Aug 08, 2024

Tags: Thermwood, Trade Shows, Model 45, Cut Ready, Cut Center, IWF, CabinetShop 43, CLA, 2024, Nested Based Work Cell, Recap

Highlights from Day 2 of IWF 2024! During the show, we are celebrating 55 incredible years in business with 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 and live demos of four groundbreaking systems!  


🚀 We are currently off to a great start for Day 3! 
 
Don't miss out on exclusive show specials and live demos of these four groundbreaking systems. Come experience the future of manufacturing with us! 💥 
 
🔵𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝟰𝟯 𝟱𝟭𝟮-𝟭𝟬: An all-new, advanced fully-integrated nested-based CNC work cell, ideal for producing custom cabinet and closet boxes, drawer boxes, doors, and drawer fronts.
🔵𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Award-winning system that uses machine intelligence to build a wide range of products without the need for a CNC programmer.
🔵𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: (Challengers Award Competitor) - Quick creation of large near net shape parts to create fixtures, shapes, and molds from any sheet material that can be machined.
🔵𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟰𝟱: Heavy-duty system designed for a variety of functions, machining solid wood, plastic sheets, aluminum, plywood, etc. An optional C-Axis expands its capability to include volutes, carvings, chair parts, stair components, and more.
If you plan to attend IWF this year, stop by and explore why Thermwood is an industry leader and speak with our experts about our special offers!

 

 

IWF 2024 Day 1 Recap

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Aug 07, 2024

Tags: Thermwood, Trade Shows, Model 45, Cut Ready, Cut Center, IWF, CabinetShop 43, CLA, 2024, Nested Based Work Cell, Recap

The energy was electric in Thermwood booth B6410 during Day 1 of IWF 2024! During the show, we are celebrating 55 incredible years in business with 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 and live demos of four groundbreaking systems!  


🚀 We are also ready for Day #2!
 
🌟 Matt will be showcasing the Cut Ready Cut Center
🌟 Jody will be demonstrating the innovative 𝗖𝗟𝗔 system
🌟 Patrick will present the Cabinet Shop 𝟰𝟯 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹
🌟 Dustin will feature the heavy-duty 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝟰𝟱
Don't miss out on exclusive show specials and live demos of these four groundbreaking systems. Come experience the future of manufacturing with us! 💥
 
 
🔵𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝟰𝟯 𝟱𝟭𝟮-𝟭𝟬: An all-new, advanced fully-integrated nested-based CNC work cell, ideal for producing custom cabinet and closet boxes, drawer boxes, doors, and drawer fronts.
🔵𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Award-winning system that uses machine intelligence to build a wide range of products without the need for a CNC programmer.
🔵𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: (Challengers Award Competitor) - Quick creation of large near net shape parts to create fixtures, shapes, and molds from any sheet material that can be machined.
🔵𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟰𝟱: Heavy-duty system designed for a variety of functions, machining solid wood, plastic sheets, aluminum, plywood, etc. An optional C-Axis expands its capability to include volutes, carvings, chair parts, stair components, and more.
If you plan to attend IWF this year, stop by and explore why Thermwood is an industry leader and speak with our experts about our special offers!

 

 

2024 Thermwood Dealer Conference and Awards Dinner

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Apr 25, 2024

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Dealer Conference, CAM Automatizacion, AAI, Process & Production Equipment, CLA, 2024

classroom-1

We recently held our 2024 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 informative sessions to discuss sales strategies and also to present the exciting changes and new products we plan to release in the next year.

CLA Demonstration 

The Dealers were able get get hands-on experience quickly building a part with Cut Layer Additive.
1 CLA Product Manager Jody Wilmes put on a Cut Layer Additive Demonstration for the Dealers
The Dealers were able get get hands-on experience quickly building a part with Cut Layer Additive.
2 The Dealers were able get get hands-on experience quickly building a part with Cut Layer Additive.
CLA Product Manager Jody Wilmes gave a demonstration.
3 CLA Product Manager Jody Wilmes gave a demonstration on quickly machining and putting a part together.
The finished part
4 The finished shape quickly machined through CLA and assembled by Jody and the Dealers.

Engineering Demonstration

brian smiddy demonstation-1

VP of Engineering, Brian Smiddy during part of his Engineering demonstration.


Awards Dinner and Fun

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!

Yum!  Huge pork chop and dessert at the Thermwood Dealer Awards Dinner

pie-1

Yum!  Huge pork chop and dessert at the Thermwood Dealer Awards Dinner


Top Sales Awards for 2023

For 2023, our top dealership was Process & Production Equipment.  Second and third places went to Automation Associates, Inc. and Noah Weidenbenner.  The award for top International Sales went to CAM Automatizacion out of Mexico.  Congratulations, guys!

First Place - 2023 Sales

1st Place - Kevin Varwig (PPE) with Brendan Haas (Account Manager for Thermwood)

Pictured above (l-r) are: Kevin Varwig (Process & Production Equipment) and Brendan Haas (Account Manager for Thermwood).


 Second Place - 2023 Sales

2ND PLACE - ark Drone (Automation Associates, Inc) and Brent East (Account Manager for Thermwood).

Pictured above are: (l-r) Mark Drone (Automation Associates, Inc) and Brent East (Account Manager for Thermwood).


 Third Place - 2023 Sales

Noah Weidenbenner and Brendan Haas (Account Manager for Thermwood).

Pictured above (l-r) are: Noah Weidenbenner and Brendan Haas (Account Manager for Thermwood).


 Top International Dealer - 2023 Sales

Top International Sales - Pablo Macias (CAM Automatizacion) and Andrew Fischer (International Account Manager for Thermwood).

Pictured above are: (l-r) Pablo Macias (CAM Automatizacion) and Andrew Fischer (International Account Manager for Thermwood).

Thermwood Unveils a New Additive Way to Make Metal Molds

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Oct 25, 2023

Tags: plastics, Announcements, molds, thermoforming, Additive Manufacturing, CLA, injection molding, metal molds, blow molding, Cut Layer Additive

Molds, for plastics processes, such as thermoforming, blow molding, rotational molding and reaction injection molding are commonly made of aluminum. Often, they are large.

Thermwood has developed a simplified, low cost way of making these large molds, using its new Cut Layer Additive process.

metal_mold_image_large-1

How Does This Work?

Cut Layer Additive works by laminating layers, cut from thick sheets of material, such as aluminum, to create a structure. In addition to building highly efficient structures, the process offers unique capabilities that make it ideal for large plastic molds.

The most important element of a mold is the mold face, essentially the cavity that defines the size and shape of the part. It’s the one thing you absolutely have to have.

Depending on the process, other functions may also be needed, such as vacuum, venting and/or temperature control. Adding these functions usually increases complexity and cost, sometimes significantly.

Thermwood’s new approach incorporates these functions in a mold face that is only a couple inches thick. So, the entire mold, including all required functions, is just the mold face.

It’s simple and less expensive. Cut Layer Additive makes it possible.  In this process, the mold face is built using machined aluminum layers, stacked and permanently attached. Since, prior to assembly, each layer is machined individually in a nest, it is possible to include holes or slots so that, when assembled, they match up, creating internal channels or chambers. These void areas in the mold are then accessed by boring holes from underneath into the opening. 

Design Flexibility is Incredible

A channel with an access hole on each end can be used to circulate temperature-controlled liquid, to control mold temperature.

An internal chamber can be also be used for vacuum. Small holes are drilled into the chamber, as is normally done with thermoforming molds. Vacuum applied to the chamber then forms the part.

Thin slots can be machined between layers to provide vents, should they be needed for certain processes.

Design flexibility is incredible.

In this way, all required functions can be included in a relatively thin mold face.

For mounting, selected mold layers are extended downward to create standoffs supports.

This means large molds can now be produced at surprisingly low cost.  This new approach also supports some advanced features.

Inner views of layers of the mold with holes and slots in place

Inner views of layers of the mold with holes and slots in place

Inner views of layers of the mold with holes and slots in place

Because you can create a multitude of channels or chambers inside the mold face, you can easily do things that are not normally possible. For example, you can circulate liquid at different temperatures through different parts of the mold, or you can create vacuum chambers under different areas of the mold and regulate the flow and timing of vacuum to those areas to aid in forming difficult parts.

There are few, if any, restrictions as to the size or geometry of molds that can be produced using this approach.

Although the basic idea is quite simple, there are a lot of details that must come together to make it all work. Programing all these details using traditional CAD would be difficult at best. The effort would likely make the whole approach impractical.

With Cut Layer Additive, the basic mold doesn’t require programming, at least in the usual sense.

Machine Intelligence in the Cut Layer Additive machine actually knows how to make these kinds of molds, so all you need to do is tell it what you want.

This is done in two steps, show it the shape and tell it how you want it made.

Just show it the shape and tell it how you want it made.

The basic shape of the part is all CLA needs

CLA just needs a CAD file of the basic shape

You show it the shape by sending it a CAD file. Not a detail file, just the basic shape you want. Don’t worry about the inside just yet.

In telling it how you want it made, you need to tell it the material you want to use, how thick you want the face, where you want channels, where you want standoffs, and any other details of what you want.

This is actually a lot easier than it sounds. You simply answer questions about how you want it made. The system guides you and makes the entire process rather easy. This part can often be done in less than five minutes.

CLA can add in holes and slots to each layer to create channels and chambers

CLA can add in holes and slots to each layer to create channels and chambers


To make molds, Thermwood has added the ability to add holes and slots to each layer to create channels and chambers. New features, while you are defining the part, make this rather easy to do. It does take a bit more effort than just making a cut layer part, but overall, it’s straightforward and the results are stunning.

Truly sophisticated molds are now possible at low cost, with zone temperature control, zone vacuum and more. Cut Layer Additive does it using a tiny fraction of the time it would otherwise take.

It makes the whole thing practical.

CLA can quickly create the mold with holes and slots that couldn't be made any other way. 

CLA can quickly create the mold with holes and slots that couldn't be made any other way. 

Attend CAMX 2023 FREE and see CLA for yourself

CLA will be on display at CAMX 2023 Oct 31st-Nov 2nd in Atlanta, GA!  Visit Thermwood Booth #FF18 to see molds and tools produced on CLA, experience live demonstrations of the software and speak to our representatives to help answer your questions on this exciting new addition to the world of additive manufacturing!

Use the code 119734 to register and attend CAMX 2023 Free from Thermwood at the link below:
https://www.xpressreg.net/register/camx1123/start.asp

CAMX 2023