Thermwood CNC Routers and Tooling Recommendations for the Plastics Industry

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Jun 09, 2022

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, tooling, Model 43, Model 90, Model 67, Model 70, Model 77, Model 45, Recommendations

Thermwood 3 Axis CNC routers handle plastic sheet processing, billets and panel processing (Model 43 and Model 45). Our 5 Axis CNC routers handle trimming of thermoformed parts, molds and composite machining (Model 67 and Model 90). We also offer the Model 70 and Model 77, which are primarily used for large scale plastic work.

Our machines can work with a wide variety of materials including Starboard, PCV, HDPE, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, PETE, LDPE, PP, PS (Styrofoam), Polycarbonate, Acrylic, Nylon and more.

Some of the basic tooling we use and recommend:

  • For Trimming Operations/Sheet Operations - Single O Flute Up-spiral is used for chip evacuation.
  • For Finishing – 2 or 3 Flute Slow Helix Up-spiral is used.
  • For Composites, we recommend solid PCD or diamond-coated tooling.
  • For Fiberglass Trimming, we recommend using a burr style bit for best results.

For more information, visit www.thermwood.com or give us a call at 1-812-937-4476. Our CNC experts will evaluate your production needs to help determine how you can reduce costs and increase efficiency. We also offer free live demonstrations of our equipment and software using your application and product details. This can help identify inefficiencies and areas of your current process that our machines could help improve.

Thermwood Model 45 Trimming Plastic Sheet (HDPE)

Model 45 Trimming Machining a Plastic Sheet of HDPE

 

 

IWF Connect is happening now!

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Oct 26, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Trade Shows, Model 43, Model 45, Cut Ready, Cut Center, IWF, Model 42

Join us for demonstrations during IWF Connect week!Thermwood Model 42 dual table 5'x5'
IWF Connect is going on now! From Oct 26-30th, you can explore our product offerings, watch videos on different applications and see our live demonstrations each day.

 

Coming Soon! Info Spot Virtual Demonstrations from Thermwood

Posted by Duane Marrett on Mon, Jul 06, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Announcements, Model 43, Model 90, Model 45, Cut Ready, Cut Center, Video, Demonstrations, Live Demonstrations, LSAM, Cut Ready 43, Web Demos, Coming Soon, Info Spot

New Plans to Connect With Customers

With IWF cancelled for 2020 - Thermwood has put new plans into place to connect with our customers who won't get to see us live in Atlanta.

We are currently working to produce a series of Info Spot videos featuring our Cut Ready Cut Center, 3 Axis and 5 Axis CNC routers and LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing Systems) that highlight the capabilities of each, in addition to giving tips and tricks to help with tooling and fixturing.

Thermwood Info Spot Virtual Demo Videos Coming Soon!

The Thermwood team is always available to consult in the form of web demos/videos and time studies.  We are also ready to welcome customers to our Dale, Indiana, headquarters for in-person demonstrations, or use the web to stream live demonstrations if preferred.

Thermwood is Open For Business

Thermwood is open for business, and ready to demo your projects on our machines to prove our CNC equipment can machine customer applications more efficiently and with a significant cost savings.

Thermwood is open for business, and ready to demo your projects on our machines to prove how our CNC equipment can machine customer applications more efficiently and with a significant cost savings.


See Our Machines in Action Without a Trade Show

At IWF, we had planned to demonstrate three of our machines.  First, our Cut Ready Cut Center, which allows users to make virtually anything a cabinet shop would want to make, with no programming required.

Thermwood Cut Ready Cut Center

We were also planning to show the heavy-duty Model 45 (composites, plastics, nested base, aluminum, non-ferrous metal and wood) and the high-performance Model 43.

Thermwood MultiPurpose Model 45 5'x10'


Thermwood CabinetShop 43 5'x10' with Optional Labeling System and Unload Rake


See the Cut Center in action in our upcoming Info Spot videos!The Cut Center would really have been the star of our show. Once people see it in action, and understand how easy it is to operate, they love it.   The machine control actually walks the operator through the entire process, using a touch-screen interface to easily select and configure what they want to make.   

It also keeps track of all maintenance items (lubrication, tooling, filters, etc.), and handles selecting the correct tool and nesting the sheets for maximum efficiency. It also automatically prints labels for each part, as well as a diagram to apply them.

Info Spot Videos Coming Soon - Stay Tuned!

With this in mind, our first round of videos, or Info Spots will feature the Cut Center, and walk viewers through everything from understanding the differences between the Cut Center and a regular CNC router to operating the machine and selecting and cutting out cabinets.

Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for the first in this new series of videos from Thermwood!


Click for More Info on the Thermwood Cut Center

Rind Routing uses their Thermwood CNC Routers to assist in the COVID-19 crisis

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, Jun 04, 2020

Tags: Thermwood, Model 43, CNC Router, Model 40, MTR 21, Rind Routing, Covid-19, ppe

Rind Routing uses their Thermwood CNC Routers to assist in the COVID-19 crisis

Thermwood machine owner Rind Routing, (www.rindrouting.co.za) located in South Africa, was initially devastated to be forced to close down their business due to COVID-19.  According to owner, Rayno von Schlicht, “Although the initial feeling was that this wouldn’t last very long, as a business owner, I was terribly concerned of the knock-on effect that a three week down-time would have on my business”

After the first week of the shut-down passed, Mr. von Schlicht noticed the 3D-printing “maker-community” designing face shield brackets and distributing them to first responders.  He was intrigued by the idea and thought that Rind Routing could do something similar on a larger scale.

They located a dental distributor who loved their design, and after some small tweaks, developed a PPE product to manufacture on their three Thermwood CNC routers (Model 40, Model 43 and MTR 21) that was not just effective and comfortable for the end-user, but also allowed Rind Routing to return to work as an essential service!

PPE face shield created by Rind Routing on their Thermwood CNC routers

PPE face shield created by Rind Routing on their Thermwood CNC routers

According to von Schlicht “Since first starting this new venture, we have been able to churn out 5,000 face shields on our Thermwood Routers within three weeks and still have orders pouring in for more!  This is proof to me that with a little vision & creativity, the willingness to try something new, and of course the correct tools to do so, you can achieve great things!”

PPE face shield created by Rind Routing on their Thermwood CNC routers

PPE face shield created by Rind Routing on their Thermwood CNC routers

Thermwood MTR 21 at Rind Routing
Thermwood MTR 21 at Rind Routing

Thermwood is a US based company with dealers and distributors worldwide.  In addition to machine manufacturing and software development, Thermwood has a technical service organization that provides support, machine installation, training, retrofits, custom programming and production assistance.  Please visit www.thermwood.com, call 1-800-533-6901 or email sales@thermwood.com for more information.

Watch a Thermwood Model 43 CNC machining Brazilian IPE with ease!

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jan 18, 2017

Tags: Thermwood, Model 43, Video, IPE

What is IPE?

IPE (pronounced ee-pay), also called Brazillian Walnut, originates in some parts of Central and South America. It is as hard as nails (up to three times harder than cedar), and is so dense that it often needs to be pre-drilled in order to connect pieces to each other. It has a similar fire rating as steel and concrete, and is one of the densest hardwoods (it won't float in water). It is naturally much more fire resistant than softer woods and resists scratches, mold and insects.

IPE is tough stuff, but the 3 Axis Thermwood Model 43 has no problem with it.

Watch Thermwood Model 43 5'x 10' CNC router machining Brazilian IPE with ease!


About the Thermwood Model 43

Thermwood Multipurpose Model 43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Thermwood 
Multi-Purpose 43 is a highly flexible, entry-level three axis CNC router made from fully stress-relieved structured steel for nested-based custom cabinets, custom furniture, nonferrous metals, aluminum, acryllic, plastic sheets, etc. 

Request More Information from Thermwood

 

Thermwood 3 Axis Multi-Purpose CNC Routers

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Nov 12, 2014

Tags: 3 Axis, Model 43, Technology, Model 45, MTR, MTR 30DT, MTR 30, Model 53, Model 42, Model 63, MTR 21, MTR 36

The Thermwood Multi-Purpose Three Axis Series are highly flexible, making them ideal for a variety of manufacturing applications.

Whether you are interested in a moving table machine for low profile machining or a fixed table for large sheet material, plastic or composite sheets or upholstery frames, we have a solution for you:


Multi-Purpose 45

The Multi-Purpose 45 is a heavy-duty three axis CNC router available in either single or dual spindles with optional rotary axis

Thermwood Model 45 Dual Spindle 5x5 CNC Router

Model 45 Dual Spindle 5'x5' Single Table

Thermwood Model 45 5x10 CNC Router

Model 45 5'x10' Single Table


Multi-Purpose 43

The Multi-Purpose 43 is an entry-level three axis CNC router made from fully stress-relieved structured steel for nested-based custom cabinets, custom furniture and support products.

Thermwood Model 43 4x8 CNC Router

Model 43 4'x8' Single Table - Moving Gantry

 


Multi-Purpose 53

The Multi-Purpose 53 is a moving gantry, fixed table, (optional roller hold down) three-axis CNC router, and is designed for the routing and stack machining of large sheet material such as fiberboard (MDF), particleboard and plywood. When configured as an optional FrameBuilder with Roller Hold-Down, it has all the elements needed to machine nested upholstered frame parts from sheet stock.  

Thermwood Model 53 5x20 CNC Router

Model 53 5'x20' Fixed Table

Thermwood FrameBuilder 53 5x10 CNC Router

FrameBuilder 53 5'x10' Fixed Table

  


Multi-Purpose 63

The Multi-Purpose 63 is a large bed three-axis CNC router with moving bridge and stationary table. Primarily designed for two dimensional machining of large composite parts, and is also highly recommended for the machining of three dimensional patterns.

Thermwood Multipurpose Model 63 5'x40' CNC Router

Model 63 5'x40' Fixed Table

 


Multi-Purpose 42

The Multi-Purpose 42 is a moving single or dual table(s), fixed gantry, CNC router primarily designed to machine materials such as hardwoods, softwoods, fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, plastics and aluminum.

 

Thermwood Model 42 5x10 Dual Spindle CNC Router

Model 42 5'x10' Dual Spindle 

Thermwood Model 42 Single Table 10x5 CNC Router

Model 42 10'x5' Single Moving Table


Multi-Purpose MTR

The Multi-Purpose MTR Series are complete three axis CNC routing systems with single or dual in-line tables for nested base, composite or plastics.

Thermwood MTR 30 Dual Table 5x10 CNC Router

MTR 30 Dual Tables 5'x10' Moving Gantry

Thermwood MTR 21 7'x12' CNC Router

MTR 21 7'x12' Single Moving Gantry


More Info

Click to Calculate the Value of a CNC Investment

 

Smart-routers alert you when prominent parts are going to be processed

Posted by Duane Marrett on Fri, Jul 05, 2013

Tags: CNC Routers, 3 Axis, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, QCore, MTR, alerts

Smart routers alert you when running critical partsSmart-routers alert you when running critical or prominent parts.  Certain parts are prominent on the final product, door and drawer fronts for example.

Smart-routers instruct you to hand select the sheet if it has any of these prominent parts on it. If left to random, it is easy to encounter a flaw or unattractive grain pattern, forcing you to scrap valuable parts. By hand selecting, you can use the best possible material for these important parts. 

And since nesting is done right at the machine, it is easy to use material left from previous jobs. At the beginning of a new job, simply scan the label on any material you want to use and the machine nests on it. You can even use material with flaws by nesting around the flaws. This feature alone can save 5-7% of your material cost each year.

Thermwood at AWFS 2013

Thermwood will be demonstrating many of the features of smart-router technology and nested based manufacturing at the 2013 AWFS show on July 24th-27th (Booth #8400).  Plan to stop by and check it out, or click the button below to request a personal consultation on how we can help improve your production process.


Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Smart-routers use smart labels to make parts easy to sort and edgeband

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Jul 03, 2013

Tags: Labels, 3 Axis, edgebanding, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, MTR

Smart labels make parts easy to programSmart-routers use smart labels to make parts easy to sort and edgeband.

Most jobs consist of several individual items, for example, a kitchen full of cabinets. To get the most efficient nests, parts are scattered throughout the job. Once complete, the first thing you must do is figure out which parts go with which cabinets. Smart-routers use a color symbol on the labels. Put the parts with the same symbol together; red circles with red circles, blue triangles with blue triangles, yellow squares with yellow squares, etc. Color symbols are much easier to sort than text descriptions. This saves a ton of labor. Using a diagram of the part, smart labels also show which edges need to be edge banded.

Thermwood at AWFS 2013

Thermwood will be demonstrating many of the features of smart-router technology and nested based manufacturing at the 2013 AWFS show on July 24th-27th (Booth #8400).  Plan to stop by and check it out, or click the button below to request a personal consultation on how we can help improve your production process.


Request a Consultation

Please click the "Request a Consultation" link above or give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and show you how all this happens, in detail.

Meet with Thermwood at AWFS 2013 and receive a FREE 2GB flash drive

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Jun 25, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC Routers, 3 Axis, CabinetShop, Model 43, AWFS, CNC Router, smart-router, Model 45, Free

Thermwood at AWFS 2013 in Las VegasAWFS 2013 (July 24th-27th)  promises to be an exciting time to visit Las Vegas.  This year, Thermwood is proud to demonstrate our affordable CabinetShop 43 CNC router equipped with the new optional Auto Labeling and Unload Rake System for nested based production as well as our Model 45 CNC router demonstrating solid wood machining. Both machines are equipped with smart-router technology that helps save labor and material, is easy to use and will make you a lot more money than ordinary routers.

Plus, we are offering a FREE 2 GB flash drive to anyone who signs up for a time to meet with our CNC Experts at the show (Booth #8400) to discuss how Thermwood can improve your production process.

Speed up Production Time with CabinetShop 43

This new option helps save time by automating the process of placing labels and off-loading finished material.  The automated system quickly places the labels and then machines the parts.  It next unloads the finished material to a sorting table.  This automatic and economical addition can greatly speed up production time, and is available both on new machines and as a retrofit. 


Solid Wood Machining on Thermwood Model 45

We will also be demonstrating solid wood machining utilizing the Nemi Pod Hi-Flow System on our Thermwood Model 45.  The heavy-duty Model 45 is designed for a variety of functions including the machining of rotary operations when equipped with our optional C-Axis.  This expands the capability of this already useful machine to include volutes, carvings, chair parts, stair components and much more.



FREE 2 GB Flash Drive

FREE Flash Drive from ThermwoodSign up below to schedule a time during the show to meet with one of our CNC Experts (Booth #8400).  They will evaluate your production needs to determine how you can best reduce costs and increase efficiency.   Plus, receive a FREE 2 GB Flash Drive during your meeting!

 

 

 

Sign-up for an AWFS meeting time

Thermwood incorporates smart-router technology into its nested based systems

Posted by Duane Marrett on Tue, Jun 11, 2013

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, control nesting, CNC Routers, Nested Base, 3 Axis, Announcements, Model 43, CNC Router, smart-router, Cabinet, Model 45, cabinets, nested based, MTR, Easy, SuperControl, Profile Modeler

Smart-routers may very well be the next wave in CNC routers. Just like smart phones have replaced regular phones, smart-routers may replace regular routers. Why? Because they are a lot easier to use and they make a lot more money from nested based jobs.

The big difference with smart-routers is not only do they know how to move, they also know the job they are doing. They can help in ways no simple machine can.

Smart routers easily use scrap materialFor example, when a smart-router finishes a job, it already knows how to make every part in that job, so if you need to cut a replacement part, the smart-router can do it without creating a new CNC program. In fact, they remember parts from all previous jobs. Just scan the label and it will cut it from the material left on the table. And, mentioning material left from a job, smart-routers use that material first when cutting a new job. You no longer have to throw it away or create specialized CNC programs to deal with it. It’s quick, easy and virtually automatic. It’s simple and saves the average shop thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in material each year that would otherwise be scrapped, and we’ve just scratched the surface.

Just like a smart phone handles dozens of daily tasks through special apps, smart-routers handle dozens of aspects of running nested based products. The list is impressive and each feature saves labor, saves material, avoids scrap and makes the whole thing so much easier.

Please click here for a detailed list of some of these smart-router features.


Request a Consultation

If you would like to see just how much a smart-router can save you compared to an ordinary router, please give us a call at 1-800-533-6901 and we will sit down and go over it in detail.