The Thermwood Multi-Purpose Five Axis Series are all great machines for trimming formed parts, patterns and molds using five-axis simultaneous motions, but you may be wondering which one would work best for your specific application?

To help you decide, we'll focus on comparing the Model 67 and Model 90 below.  These heavy-duty moving-table machines are ideal for high-speed trimming and pattern machining, and come in either single or dual table configurations:

Multi-Purpose 67

The Multi-Purpose 67 is an entry-level five axis specifically developed for three-dimensional machining, available with a variety of either single or dual moving aluminum table sizes.

Available Features:

• Single table sizes from 5'x5' to 10'x5' or dual table sizes from 5'x5' to 5'x12'
• Moving Solid Aluminum Table/ Fixed Gantry
• 12HP HSD Tool Change Spindle (3,000-18,000 RPM, larger spindle sizes available)
• 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 
• Tool Center Point Programming (TCP)
• 5 Axis Chip Collection 
• 10 Position Rotary Tool Changer
• Bar Style Tool Changer
• In the Leg Tool Changer
• Remote Start/Stop
• Gantry Lighting
• Continuous C Axis with Impact Resistant Head
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support 

Videos

Multi-Purpose 90

The Multi-Purpose 90 is a heavy-duty five-axis designed for high-speed trimming and pattern machining, available in single or dual moving aluminum tables.  It is capable of full five axis simultaneous motions with extremely fast accelerations.

Available Features:

• 12HP HSD Tool Change Spindle (3,000-24,000 RPM larger spindle sizes available)
• Continuous C-Axis
• Impact Resistant Head 
• Moving Aluminum Table
• Fixed Gantry
• 24" Z Standard (available up to 60")
• Full 5 Axis Simultaneous Motion
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
• 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• Thermwood QCore SuperControl
• Tool Center Point Programming (TCP)
• 5 Axis Chip Collection
• 10 Position Rotary Tool Changer
• Enclosure 
• Gantry Lighting 
• Multi-Function Gridded Pod Table 
• In the Leg Tool Changer
  
• Bar Style Tool Changer
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor 
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support 

Videos

More Info

Thermwood Cut Center - No Programming Required

The Thermwood Cut Ready Cut Center is an exciting alternative to traditional CNC routers for making a wide variety of products including cabinets, closets, furniture, doors, drawers and much more.  Just tell the machine what you what to make and it does it...it is that simple!  NO programming is required.

Other CNC Routers - Lots of 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 programmer

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.

"Maybe I'll Just 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. 

Thermwood Cut Center - 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.

Other CNC Routers - 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.

What our Cut Center Customers Think...

More about the Thermwood Cut Center:

Operate as a Cut Center with No Programming

With the award-winning Thermwood Cut Center, there are no computers or design software. Everything is already in the machine. There is no programming. The cut center doesn’t need a computer to tell it how to move because it already knows how to make cabinets. Just tell it what you want to make, and it does it - it is that simple!  

Operate as a CNC Router

Also, you can operate the system as a CNC router in the traditional manner, running programs generated with virtually any CNC software. Thermwood has created a simple way to switch between operating as a CNC router and operating as a Cut Center to assure that all machine parameters are properly reset and that the standard Cut Center tooling is properly installed, checked and ready to run.

  

The Thermwood Multi-Purpose 45 is a heavy-duty, high-performance three axis CNC router available in either single or dual spindles with optional rotary axis used in the machining of cabinets, solid wood, millwork, phenolic, display fixtures and much more.

Features of the Model 45:

• Fixed table sizes from 5'x5' to 7'x12'
• Optional Rotary Axis
• Moving Gantry
• Single or Dual 12P HSD Spindle (3,000-24,000RPM)
• 4 Position Bar Style Automatic Tool Changer
• Optional Single or Dual 18HP HSD Spindle Available
• Optional 5-Position At-the-Head AutomaticTool Changer Available
• Optional Nemi Pod System Available
• Automatic Lubrication (optional)
• QCore SuperControl
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
• 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor (optional)
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support   

• 4 Position Bar Style Automatic Tool Changer

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).

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.

Thermwood CNC machines are used across a wide variety of Industries.  One Thermwood Customer – Universal Plastics and Mayfield Plastics - are involved in the thermoforming of plastic materials.

Since Universal Plastics was founded in 1965, they have been a leader in the thermoforming industry.

The Universal plant has over 95,000 square feet and over 80 employees.  As Universal Plastics has grown, they have refined and further developed the thermoforming process to allow the manufacture of large and complex products that could never have been conceived in the previous generation. Today’s thermoformed products can match the quality and finish of injection molding, in high performance plastics, and in sizes that dwarf the capabilities of most molders.

Universal utilizes Thermwood CNC machines for trimming of complex thermoformed parts as well as producing thermoforming tooling.  In fact, Universal and Mayfield Plastics have purchased 10 Thermwood C67 machines in the last seven years.

Thermoforming tooling can be built from wood, composite, cast aluminum, or machined aluminum billet. Temporary molds are commonly built of wood or composites, which can be easily machined. Permanent tools are either machined or cast aluminum, depending on the depth of the tool. Thermoforming tools can be modified easily, so changes can be made quickly and for much less money than the hardened steel tooling typical of molded parts.  For this reason alone, thermoforming is often the better process if your design hasn’t been solidified.

Universal believes quality parts are a direct result of quality tools, and take great pride in making quality machined or cast aluminum tools that deliver consistent quality products year after year. Our 5 full time toolmakers have a combined 100 years’ experience in tool and fixture making and they build many of tools in-house.

Mold makers use cast aluminum molds for larger quantities production. Aluminum molds are designed by CAD designers.  Once designed, these mold designs are transferred to Thermwood CNC routers that produce the patterns required for the final mold.

Also of note, the Western Mass Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association conduct several tours of member companies each year to give the membership a view of the diversity of the companies that do machining.  About 25 members of the WMNTMA visited Universal in February for a tour of their facility and in particular, to review the mold making and machining capabilities. Universal produces about 30% of their tooling and the balance is purchased from tool vendors around the country and area.

The Western Mass chapter has machine shops as well as vendors to the machining industry in their membership.