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

 

Watch Traco Manufacturing Talk About Their Eight Thermwood 3 Axis Model 45 CNC Routers

Posted by Duane Marrett on Wed, Sep 11, 2019

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, plastics, 3 Axis, CNC Router, plastic trimming, Success Story, Traco Manufacturing

Thermwood headquarters in Dale, INWhen you purchase a three or five axis CNC router or an LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) system from Thermwood, you get a dependable machine, a superior control, reliable performance and the best service and support in the business

We don't just consider you a customer, but as a partner, friend and family member.  We believe in helping each other through a genuine relationship of mutual trust so that we are both successful together.

Traco Manufacturing, Inc, located in Batavia, NY

Take a listen to Dan Jachimowicz of Traco Manufacturing, Inc. located in Batavia, NY and his two sons, Dan Jachimowicz, Jr and Jameson Jachimowicz as they talk about their history with Thermwood, their eight Model 45 CNC routers and how the quality, reliability, longevity and ease of use of the machines have helped to grow their business to where it is today.  Making Traco Manufacturing one of the leaders in taking design and engineering ideas and quickly developing them into high quality plastic prototypes and products. 

Take a listen to Dan Jachimowicz of Traco Manufacturing, Inc. located in Batavia, NY and his two sons, Dan Jachimowicz, Jr and Jameson Jachimowicz as they talk about their history with Thermwood, their eight Model 45 CNC routers and how the quality, reliability, longevity and ease of use of the machines have helped to grow their business to where it is today.  Making them one of the leaders in taking design and engineering ideas and quickly developing them into high quality plastic prototypes and products. 

Video


Dan Jachimowicz and his two sons, Dan, Jr and Jameson at Traco Manufacturing, Inc in Batavia, NY

Dan Jachimowicz and his two sons, Dan, Jr and Jameson at Traco Manufacturing, Inc in Batavia, NY


Learn More About the High-Performance Model 45

The Thermwood Multi-Purpose 45 is a heavy-duty, high-performance three axis CNC router designed for real-world production.

Available in either single or dual spindles (with optional rotary axis), the Model 45 is used in the machining of composites, tooling boards, plastic sheets, aluminum, cabinets, solid wood, millwork, phenolic, display fixtures, nested based panels and much more.  

This versatile machine is available in a variety of table sizes and has enough standard features and options to get the job done.

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

Request More Information from Thermwood

Universal Plastics - Forming Customers for Life

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Wed, Mar 11, 2015

Tags: CNC, plastics, tooling, Model 67, aerospace, molds, medical, plastic trimming, vacuum forming, thermoforming, 5 axis plastics, pressure forming

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 Plastics with one of their Thermwood CNC Routers

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.

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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.

For more information visit www.mayfieldplastics.com and www.universalplastics.com

Thermwood Southeast Sales Representative, Dennis Glenn Blackburn passed away.

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Fri, Feb 24, 2012

Tags: Thermwood, plastics, CNC Routers, Woodworking, CNC Router, Dennis Blackburn, Polk Area Bicycle Association, FLC 2012 BIKE MS


Dennis resized 600

 

WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA - Mr. Dennis Glenn Blackburn, age 62, died from multiple challenged systems Tuesday (February 7, 2012).

Dennis was born in Appleton, WI, on Jan. 10, 1950 and moved to Winter Haven from Portage, WI, in 1966. 

Dennis has been associated with Thermwood Corporation since 1990, becoming an exclusive dealer for Thermwood in March of 1997.  Dennis was highly committed to Thermwood, continuously placing in the top tier of sales every year.  “Dennis was very passionate about Thermwood, and cared deeply about all of his customers” said Vice President of Sales, Dennis Palmer.  

He was a member of the Polk Area Bicycling Association, and attended Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church.

Dennis is survived by his wife Elizabeth C. Blackburn, and daughters Celeste and Ona.

FREE Pass to see Thermwood at the SAMPE 2011 Conference

Posted by Duane Marrett on Thu, May 19, 2011

Tags: Thermwood, plastics, Trade Shows, Free, SAMPE

Thermwood at the SAMPE 2011 Conference

Thermwood will be exhibiting at the 2011 SAMPE Conference in Long Beach, CA on Tuesday May 24th through Thursday, May 26th (Thermwood Booth #1042)

If you are planning to attend the show, you can sign up for a FREE pass here

 

 

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thermwood at the SAMPE 2011 Show

 

 

 

Visit the Sampe Website

Advanced CNC router and 3D laser technology for making prosthetics

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Tags: Thermwood, CNC, plastics, CNC Routers, 5 Axis, Model 67, trimming, molds, Cad, 3D laser, polhemus, military, orthotics, prosthetics, medical

 

This is a news broadcast of medical technology making orthotics and prosthetics for military soldiers. A 3d laser is used to scan the soldier's foot or other parts of their body and is rendered in software. It is then taken to a Thermwood Model 67, five axis machine, and machined to the custom shape.

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Classic Dash Uses CNC Router for ABS Composite Dash Panels

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Wed, Jan 27, 2010

Tags: Thermwood, Composites, plastics, CNC Routers, 5 Axis, Product Information, trimming, classic dash, dash panels, automotive

Carson City, NV: Classic Dash has announced a new molded ABS composite dash panel in three finishes for GM G-body cars, rear-wheel drive iterations that were produced from late '78 until early 1988. These cars include the Buick Regal/Grand National/GNX, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, El Camino, Malibu, GMC Caballero, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Gran Prix and Grand Le Mans and Bonneville.

 

In keeping with all the company's previous offerings, the G-Body panel is clean and stylish. Lightweight and exceedingly rigid ABS plastic sheets are vacuum-formed at 320 degrees Fahrenheit and the material is impregnated with a UV inhibiter that protects it from sun damage. Accuracy is the key. A Thermwood 5-axis CNC high-speed router consistently trims the dash panels to within 0.005-inch.

The Classic Dash panel is available in carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, or black finishes. All panels are offered in two forms: with or without gauge openings, and with or without gauges. Gauge selection includes several variations from Auto Meter and Classic Instruments. Auto Meter kits include wiring harness from gauges to factory loom, LED turn signal indicators, and high-beam and emergency brake light indicators.

Classic Dash was formed in 2002 and was the first company to create replacement ABS composite dash panels for vehicles of the muscle car era. Their new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located in Carson City, Nevada. Its website has a new make-over with easy navigation and access to ordering. Staff members can easily answer any technical questions you may have and same-day shipping is available on orders received before 3PM, PST. Classic Dash instrument panels complete with gauges are priced from $849.95

For further information contact:

Classic Dash, 5225 Grumman Drive, Suite 100,

Carson City, NV 89706

Telephone (866) 882-3525

NEW Thermwood Online Store

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Mon, Apr 13, 2009

Tags: Thermwood, Composites, plastics, aluminum, CNC Routers, tooling, vacuum, online store, wood

The NEW Thermwood Online Store now sells collets/covernuts, grease, filters and other accessories for CNC Routers and vacuum pumps.  The Thermwood Store also carries a wide variety of tooling for different industries such as wood, fiberglass, plastics, and composites from different vendors like Vortex, Southeast Tool, CMT and more.  Please visit the Thermwood Online Store to purchase your CNC Router accessories and tooling needs. 

 

Thermwood's new "CNC Routers by Application" section

Posted by Jason Susnjara on Mon, Mar 16, 2009

Tags: Thermwood, Composites, plastics, aluminum, Nested Base, 3 Axis, 5 Axis, aerospace, edgebander, trimming, solid surface, wood carving, molds

Thermwood has added a "CNC Routers by Application" section on their home page.  By selecting the different applications, you can view examples, videos and the machines related to each application.  We will continue to add more pictures and videos to each application.