The Thermwood AutoProcessor is a high-speed, automatic load/unload, heavy-duty three-axis CNC routing system for nested based feed through machining.  Available in a variety of machine table sizes, it is used in nested based production of cabinets, closets and custom furniture. 

How it Works:

With each cycle, the machine simultaneously labels one sheet while positioning and machining the other sheet.  It then off-loads the finished parts while loading the next sheet and repeats the process. Dust collection during this process keeps scrap and debris to a minimum.Labels help the operator to quickly sort the parts, and Assembly Marks help final assembly happen quickly and easily.

Thermwood AutoProcessor 5'x10' in a Customer's Shop:

Features of the Thermwood AutoProcessor:

• Various Table Sizes Available (5'x10', 5'x12' and 7''x12')
• Automatic Load/Unload System (6000 lb automatic lift table for loading and a steel offload/work table)
• 12HP (3,000-24,000 RPM) Spindle
• Universal Vacuum 
• Rake w/Integrated Dust Collection
• Rapid Speed:  4100 Inches per minute
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives
• 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• 10 Position Rotary Automatic Changer
• Automatic Pop-Up Pins
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor
• Automatic Labeling System
  
• QCore SuperControl
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support 

Drawings:

(Back row), Troy, Jody Wilmes of Thermwood, Kenny and Michael (front row) of Bednark Studio in Brooklyn, NY with their new Thermwood Cut Ready Cut Center at their shop.

Cody, John, Christina and Alberto of ‪‎Arkansas Wood Doors‬ in Pottsville, AR with their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Donovan Mumma of Byrne Custom Woodworking‬ in Lenexa, KS with Jody Wilmes of Thermwood and their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Thermwood's Award Winning Cut Ready Cut Center is an all-new alternative to traditional CNC routers for making custom cabinets and furniture with NO programming.  

Here we present a short video featuring John Allan of Arkansas Wood Doors in Pottsville, AR as he discusses his new Cut Center and what the machine is going to do for his business.

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Cody, John, Christina and Alberto of ‪‎Arkansas Wood Doors‬ with their new ‪‎Thermwood‬ ‎CutReady‬ ‎Cut Center‬ at their shop.

Programming Required?

Every CNC router, regardless of price, has one thing in common..it must be programmed. You will need a CNC programmer. A typical CNC programmer will cost you more each month than the payment on a Thermwood Cut Center, which does not need CNC programs or CNC programmers.

So, even if a machine was FREE, it would still cost you more than a Thermwood Cut Center, and in a few years the Cut Center payments go away while your programmer costs most likely will go up. 

I'll Program it Myself

Good luck! CNC routers require a constant stream of programs to run. Solving problems, like damaged or scrapped parts or defects in material means even more CNC programs. Programming custom cabinets on a CNC router is a full time job….good thing you have nothing else to do! 

And then there’s software. Cheap cabinet software is limited and difficult. It takes more time which means more money. Really good software can cost as much, or more than your cheap router.

And there’s scrap. You will have one or more partial sheets left from each job. Regardless of what they tell you, it is so difficult, complex and expensive to add this to new jobs that virtually everyone just throws it away. With the Cut Center, you just scan the label on any extra material lying around and it is added to the job, automatically. This can mean a lot of money saved at the end of the year. 

Get Into Production Quickly

Also, it is likely you will be in full production with a Thermwood Cut Center in about a half a day. A CNC router can take as much as six months to program and get to that point. A half a day or a half a year? There is serious cost associated with that half a year.

Not So Cheap After All

When you consider everything, a cheap router isn’t so cheap after all. In fact, to match a Thermwood Cut Center they would have to pay YOU to use their router. 

Instead of looking for the cheapest possible CNC router, do this thing right, get a Thermwood Cut Center….your life will be better and you will make more money.

See the Cut Center at WMS 2015!

The 2015 WMS Show (November 5th-7th) promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Toronto and see the very latest technology from Thermwood! 

Like the award winning Thermwood Cut Center (make virtually anything a cabinet shop would want to make - with no programming), as well as the AutoProcessor 5'x10' (a high-speed, automatic load/unload, heavy-duty CNC routing system for nested based feed through machining).

Please come and visit us at CNC Automation booth #2013. Click this link (use promo code CNCAUT15) to obtain passes to the show on behalf of CNC Automation (exclusive Canadian Thermwood dealer).

Model 67 5'x12' Dual Table CNC Router shown

Description:

The Model 67 is entry-level fixed-gantry, moving table 5 Axis CNC router that is used for trimming formed parts, patterns or molds using five-axis simultaneous motions.  It is available with a variety of either single or dual moving solid aluminum table sizes.

Features of the Model 67:

• Single table sizes from 5'x5' to 10'x5' or dual table sizes from 5'x5' to 5'x12'
• Fixed Gantry
• Moving Solid Aluminum Table
• 7.5HP HSD Dual End Spindle (3,000-18,000RPM)
• 24' Z axis standard (available up to 48" Z axis)
• QCore SuperControl
• Full 5 axis simultaneous motions
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
• 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor (optional)
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support 

Videos featuring large sculptures created on a Thermwood Model 67 at John Cox's Creature Workshop:

The Thermwood Multi-Purpose Five Axis Series combines all the elements needed for trimming of large aerospace and composite materials as well as machining large format patterns and molds/plugs for the aviation and defense industries.

Here we look at the Thermwood Model 77.  This heavy-duty, high-speed, moving gantry machine is ideal for machining large applications utilizing heavy fixtures.

Lenny and Mike with their newly installed Model 77 5’x10’ 5 Axis CNC router featuring an enclosed overhead cap cover, 10 position rotary automatic tool changer, 36" Z Axis, gantry lighting system, access doors, Nemi pod table and rear dust extraction booth.

Features: 12HP HSD Tool Change Spindle (3,000-24,000 RPM Spindle) (other spindles available) Impact Resistant 5 Axis Head  36" Z (other sizes available) 10 Position Rotary Tool Change System Full 5 Axis Simultaneous Motion Fixed Drill and Tapped Aluminum Table Conventional Style Vacuum Plumbing Heavy Duty Access Doors Gantry Lighting Overhead Cover Cap Rear Dust Extraction Booth Tool Center Point Programming (TCP) Rapid Speed: 3500 inches per minute Moving Gantry Thermwood Q Core SuperControl Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout Volumetric 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment Automatic Tool Length Sensor Chip Collection Multi-Function Nemi Pod Table Machine Training and Installation Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support

Thermwood Corporation, a leading U.S. based manufacturer of CNC routers, has announced a program to develop a 3D Additive Manufacturing System, capable of making large carbon graphite reinforced composite thermoplastic components.

Near Net Shape Approach

Thermwood’s systems utilizes a “near net shape” approach where a relatively large extruder, mounted to the machine, is used to heat, melt and deposit, or “print”, carbon graphite filled thermoplastic material to quickly create a structure which is almost, but not quite the exact final shape. That structure, when it cools and hardens is then five axis machined to the final net shape. 

Up to Sixty Feet Long

These new systems will be based on Thermwood’s Model 77, semi-enclosed, high wall gantry machine structures, which are currently offered in sizes up to sixty feet long. For the plastic extruder, Thermwood turned to American Kuhne, the preferred provider of engineered solutions for plastic, rubber & silicone extrusion, who developed a custom system, which integrates tightly, both mechanically and electronically, with Thermwood’s CNC machine. This allows not only the machine but also the plastic extruder to be controlled and managed by a central CNC control, insuring smooth integration and increasing both capability and flexibility. 

Optional Additive and Subtractive on the Same Machine

With the addition of a second gantry, both the “Additive” and “Subtractive” processes can be performed on the same machine. The second “Subtractive” gantry will be offered as an option. Companies that already have five axis machining capacity and want to work with Additive Manufacturing may only require “Additive” machine capability as they can use existing equipment for the “Subtractive” part of the process. 

Full Six Axis Articulated Additive Deposition Head

Thermwood’s systems will feature full six axis articulated additive deposition head, allowing it to build layered structures on both a horizontal plane as well as planes canted in any direction up to ninety degrees from horizontal. Management believes this capability will be important as technology advances and more complex structures are required. 

Further Details

Thermwood’s initial development machine, which is nearing completion, can make parts up to ten foot by ten foot by five foot high, is equipped with a 20HP, 1 ¾ inch diameter, 24-1 L/D extruder and support equipment capable of processing over 100 pounds of material per hour. Despite the relatively heavy weight of the extrusion system and head, which are both mounted on and move with the machine, the machine generates impressive performance with high acceleration rates and high feed rate capability. 

Ongoing Development

This is an ongoing research and development program and Thermwood Management cannot say when commercial systems might be available to the market, but they believe this technology represents a major opportunity and that “Additive Manufacturing” will become a significant factor in the future of manufacturing. Thermwood believes it is in a unique position to pursue this emerging technology since, at one time, it was a plastic processing company that operated large plastic extruders in a production environment. Thermwood is already a major manufacturer of the “Subtractive” machinery part of the equation and this same technology is the basis of the “Additive” equipment.

Thermwood also designs, builds and programs its own sophisticated CNC controls which it can tailor to any new requirements and also has experience developing sophisticated design and CAD/CAM software packages which are also an important part of this new technology.

Just like a smart phone does more than make phone calls, a “smart-router” does much more than route parts. The “more” in a smart-router saves material and labor and makes it really easy to use. A smart-router does cost more but is substantially more profitable, making it a much better overall investment.

Thermwood smart-routers process part programs two ways:

1. The traditional way by using CNC program output from virtually any design software. Thermwood smart-routers can even run existing programs written for other brand machines (even if those programs contain codes specific to that machine). This means, with a Thermwood smart-router, you can use software configured for almost any machine and you can run programs you already have without reprogramming. Thermwood smart-routers are pretty much compatible with anything.

2. Instead of using traditional CNC programs developed with software and a PC, Thermwood smart-routers can also use part information directly, and create the actual cutting programs within the machine itself. Major software vendors offer database output to Thermwood smart-routers, and any software that can output DXF files will work with Thermwood smart-routers. You send the design to a Thermwood smart-router and it, rather than you, worries about how to make the parts. This offers significant advantages.

Thermwood smart-routers technology is...

What Do You Get With a Thermwood Machine?

When you purchase a CNC router from Thermwood, you get a superior machine, a superior control, superior performance and the best service and support in the business.  Our CNC Experts work with you during every step of the process to insure that you receive the optimum machine configuration for your specific application, and that you gain the knowledge and assistance you need to get into production as quickly as possible.  

You are never on your own with a Thermwood machine, and help is always free for the life of the machine!  Below, we'll go into more detail on each step of the Thermwood Total Solution process:

Thermwood Model 90 5 Axis 5'x12' Dual Table CNC router

Customize Your Solution

Thermwood's Total Solution means that we can customize your machine operation to suit your specific needs.  Our experienced program techs can create new programs or modify your existing programs, work with you on fixturing and tooling, create custom interfaces for your control and much more.  

Because we are a single-source manufacturer, we can easily modify and hone any part of the machine or control to fit your exact need.  Our ultimate goal is to provide the best solution possible with the lowest learning curve for you. We'll stay by your side during each step of the way. We also provide phone, email and forum support, always free of charge.

Thermwood Customers IDL Worldwide with their new Model 45 CNC router

Support When You Need It

Our Total Solution also means that support doesn't stop with the sale.  We are by your side during your five-day training course at our state-of-the-art factory as well as during installation at your facility. During installation, you are paired with a dedicated CNC Expert to work with you one-on-one at your facility to answer any programming and operation questions you may have.  Their goal is to make sure your Thermwood CNC machine gets into production as quickly as possible and running at its optimum performance. 

Thermwood Customers learning programming skills during our five-day training class

The Thermwood Total Solution:

Training and Production Support

• In-Depth Machine Training at our state-of-the-art facility
• Production Start-Up Assistance at your facility with a dedicated CNC Expert
• Help from our CNC Experts when you need it via phone/email/forum 

Customizing Your Solution

• Customizable Control Interface (we can create a custom control interface just for you)
• Customizeable Machine Operation (modify/create new programs and/or machine hardware)
• Fixturing and Tooling Assistance 

Better Machines

• High-Performance, Highly Reliable Siemens Drives Throughout
• Full Function, High Performance CNC Control (future-proofed with an upgrade path)
• Designed using State of the Art CAD/CAM
• Weldments Fully Stress-Relieved
• Three-Dimensional Laser Compensated

More Features

• Mobile App - track the operation of your Thermwood CNC router(s) and the programs that run on them from anywhere by using your cell phone, PC or other mobile device
• Extensive Software Capability (control accepts output and can even combine files from a wide variety of design software)
• Automatic Tool Management (manages tooling and tool life - not easy without this feature)
• Maintenance Tracking (manages lubrication and routine maintenance based on actual machine use)
• Error Reporting (graphically displays location of error and suggests remedy)
• Maintenance Videos (on-screen videos guide you through adjustment and repair)
• Dynamic CAD Drawings (view and explode every machine assembly on the control screen)
• Dynamic On-Screen Manuals (view and search the machine manual from the control screen)

Better Service and Support

• Free Phone/Forum/Email Support
• Virtual Service (instantly address virtually anything a service visit can - fast)
• Free Ongoing Control Updates (not available from others - you're stuck with what you have)
• Quick Tech Service Visits Directly from the Factory When Needed (single source responsibility)
• Extensive Spare Parts Inventory with Overnight Shipping

The Bottom Line:

Our systems install fast, start up quick, are easier to use and maintain, produce more and last longer.  The Thermwood Total Solution means that we work with you before you buy, after you buy and into the future to make sure you get the best performance and financial benefit from your Thermwood machine.