Our annual Christmas party was held last Friday, and it was a fun time for everyone to gather and enjoy food and fellowship. 

As we head into the new year, we are grateful for all of the positive business that we've enjoyed in 2011, and encouraged that 2012 promises to be a very good year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at Thermwood!

Dear eCabinet Systems Members,

eCabinet Systems version 6.0 Build 7 is now available. This latest version of eCabinet Systems is available as a download only. No disc is required. It is a full install. It will either update your existing version of eCabinet Systems or complete a full install.

eCabinet Systems Version 6.0 Build 7 is ONLY a time extension release:

eCabinet Systems Update Page:
http://www.ecabinetsystems.com/ecabinet_systems_updates.htm

To obtain eCabinet Systems V6.0 Build 7, install click on the link above. Save this file to your computer then double click it to run.

If you need a new reg code, please email cabinets@thermwood.com or go to www.ecabinetsystems.com to generate a new code.

Sincerely,

Your friends at eCabinet Systems

Habitat for Humanity will be the beneficiary of CNC Automation's technology and generosity at the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo (WMS) October 27-29.

The St. Zotique, QC-based company plans to make and assemble parts into residential casegoods at its exhibit booth throughout the three-day show, taking place for the first time ever at the Direct Energy Centre. The casegoods will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Restore in Ontario.

Making this live production possible are three production lines that CNC Automation will have in operation during WMS. They include:

Solid Wood Processing, CNC's newest division, will showcase Kentwood moulders and Ironwood classical woodworking equipment to manufacture five-piece wood cabinet doors.

Panel Processing, including Thermwood CNC nested-based routers, Omal drill and dowel insertion equipment and a panel saw, will produce case good components.

Spray Finishing & Sanding, featuring Timesavers calibration sanders, Loewer finishing sanders and Makor water-based spray systems, will be used to finish the solid wood parts. 

In addition, CNC Automation is finalizing plans for a tour of Toronto-area woodworking facilities to take place on Wednesday, October 26, the day before the show opens. To assist out-of-town customers, the company has secured a block of rooms at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel conveniently located to the Direct Energy Centere.

 "We are extremely excited to see the change in venue of the WMS show," said Daniel Comeau vice president, general manager of CNC Automation. "The move to downtown Toronto has injected the market with a new enthusiasm in this important Canadian event. The WMS show is an important part of the Canadian marketplace. Canadian manufacturers deserve and should expect a "locally" based and focused showcase of products featuring the newest technologies."

"CNC Automation is committed to all of our customers Canada wide," Comeau added. "The WMS event provides us the opportunity to express this commitment to the Canadian marketplace. As a Canadian machinery dealer, we owe it to our Canadian customers to provide a Canadian event where they can view the latest technology and be exposed to new ideas that are important to their future growth and prosperity."

Please visit CNC Automation's booth at WMS in Toronto.  Booth #'s are 129 and 1504.

For more information please visit www.cncautomation.com (800.421.5955) or www.thermwood.com (800.533.6901)

Section 179 Tax Deduction/Bonus Depreciation

Thinking of purchasing a new cnc router in 2011, and still on the fence because of the uncertain economy? Some great news is the current dual benefit of the Section 179 deduction/100% bonus depreciation which helps make 2011 the ideal year to purchase your new cnc router!

These newest changes are as follows:

• The Section 179 Deduction limit has been increased to $500,000. The total amount of equipment that can be purchased increased to $2 million. This includes most new and used capital equipment, and also includes software.

• The “Bonus Depreciation” has been increased to 100% on qualified assets. However, this can be taken on new equipment only.

2011 is the Year to Do It!

Due to the extension of Section 179 under the 'HIRE Act of 2010' - the enhanced limits under the 'Jobs Act of 2010' - and the recently enacted 100% Bonus Depreciation under the 'Tax Relief Act of 2010':

You can basically write-off 100% of all the equipment and software your business needs to buy or finance this year!

Depreciation Bonus At A Glance:   

• 2011 Deduction Limit - $500,000 (up from $250k previously). Good on new and used equipment, including new software.

• 2011 Limit on equipment purchases - $2 Million Dollars (up from $800k previously).

• “Bonus” Depreciation - 100% (taken after the $500k deduction limit is reached). Note, bonus depreciation is only for new equipment. This can also be taken by businesses that exceed $2 million in capital equipment purchases.
  
  The above is an overall, “simplified” view of the Section 179 Deduction for 2011. For more details on limits and qualifying equipment, as well as Section 179 Qualified Financing, please visit section179.org
  
  An example of Section 179 at work:

For more detailed information: please click here.

Calculate your potential savings: please click here

Please use the following links to view our line of 3 axis and 5 axis Thermwood CNC Routers. 

Visit Why Purchase a Thermwood? to see why our machines are the most reliable, technically advanced and safest choice for over 40 years.

Thermwood's Canadian distributor, CNC Automation, will be exhibiting at this year's WMS Show on October 27th-29th in Toronto, Canada. 

We have secured room deals at the Fairmont York Royal Hotel - just steps away from the best nightlife, dining, shopping and other great venues Toronto has to offer.

There are also several great options for direct transportation to the show from the Fairmont - no need to worry about driving yourself there!

Please click the photo below or this link for more information.

The 2011 AWFS Show promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Las Vegas and see the very latest in CNC Router technology from Thermwood!

At AWFS we will be demonstrating the machining of custom nested based cabinets along with a variety of other applications including MDF doors, sheet plastics, and wood components.

Featuring the CabinetShop 45 with load/unload system:

Our demonstrations will include machining products on our CabinetShop 45 CNC, complete with our new optional load/unload system that reduces labor and eliminates the need to load and unload material from the router.  Also at AWFS we will be demonstrating the S400 and BEE Fravol edgebanders.  Fravol, known for high quality edgebanders, is exclusively represented and serviced in the US by Thermwood.

The CabinetShop 45 will feature our new QCore SuperControl system.  The QCore operates with Windows 7 Pro, has a massive 1 Tb Hard Drive for program storage, utilizes a Quad Core Processor and provides the highest level control platform for CNC router technology today.

QCore also features an all-new optional Hand Held Programmer that puts the expanded power of the QCore control into a compact, rugged hand remote.  This new hand held offers improved ergonomics, a color LCD touch screen display and a durable 24-key steel dome membrane keypad.  It allows the operator to perform a wide variety of tasks that were previously only available through the machine control.

Live streaming webcam from AWFS!

We will be showcasing Thermwood’s speed and quality by running LIVE machine demonstrations using different materials such as plywood, melamine, MDF, Acrylic and King Plastics’ Starboard throughout the day – and available via webcam. 

Hands-on Access!

Attendees will also have a chance to customize a product and run the machine yourself using our QuickCut software right at the control.  Just select an item, change the size and watch the machine do the rest.

If you’re interested in not just increasing throughput but also reducing assembly time, stop by Thermwood’s booth to see the latest in construction joints and assembly marks. 

Featuring the New Lock Dado Joint:

We announced the new Barb Dado Joint at the IWF show in 2010, this year for AWFS we will be demonstrating our new Lock Dado Joint which combines blind dado and KD Fasteners (available from Hafele) making assembly unbelievably fast and easy!

Plan to stop by Thermwood Booth #4210 and check us out!

The AWFS show is located at the Las Vegas Convention Center and runs from July 20th-23th.

Not only do students learn the basic technology but they also experience full scale, full production machining operations (assuring that they are well prepared for real-world applications).

Each machine is equipped with the powerful QCore SuperControl which gives students the most advanced automated production features available, insuring state-of-the-art training.

Thermwood also offers free copies of its eCabinet Systems software for classroom use as well as an individual copy for each student enrolled on an ongoing basis.

The Advanced Support Program assures that new features and technology are automatically added to Thermwood educational machines as they are released, pledging that students are always working with the most up-to-date technology available.

Thermwood machines and technology are ideal for training in today’s rapidly changing technical horizon.  Please visit our educational applications area for more information and examples of Thermwood CNC Routers used in education.

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!

Visit the Sampe Website

Once again, Thermwood is a proud sponsor of the FREE CabinetMakerFDM Woodworking Business E-vent.  The first such show (held last November), was a great success, and we invite you to attend this unique and interactive event on May 19th, 2011.

As an attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to view five educational sessions on innovations in the wood products industry, network with colleagues, visit our booth and chat in real-time in the Exhibit Hall - All from the comfort of your office!

Thermwood will also be running live machine demonstrations (nested based cabinets, moldings and various other items) on our CabinetShop 43 and Fravol Edgebander throughout the day - available via webcam.

Register online to join us at the Woodworking Business E-vent. We look forward to seeing you there!

ISA 2011 – What we learned

We just returned from the International Sign Expo in Las Vegas, and had a great time.  It was enjoyable meeting new people in this expanding industry.  We got a lot of interesting feedback from companies in the industry about their need to constantly evolve and expand what they offer to meet the growing needs of their customers.

From vehicle wraps to window graphics and three dimensional signs, today’s sign professionals have to be able to offer at least as much, and usually a whole lot more than their competitors to survive and thrive.  They have to be able to think outside the box to grab any piece of business that comes their way, and traditional sign trimming machines only meet some of these needs.

We have learned that these traditional machines are comparatively light-duty when it comes to any type of heavier material or non-traditional application.  Or, if they can machine the necessary material, it is oftentimes very unproductive (requiring multiple passes and valuable time). This can cause you to miss out on jobs that your equipment simply can’t do.

What now?

You’ve seen this in other industries.  There reaches a point when everybody’s product basically does the job.  Some do it better than others, but they all get the job done.  After that, the market is saturated with copy-cats until someone comes up with a new innovation or way to use the technology in a different way.  Just like cell phones gave way to smart phones and laptops are slowly going away in favor of tablets, there is a new solution to the problems facing the sign industry. 

A different approach

Using a heavy-duty sign machine like the Thermwood SignRouter 43 offers the ability to cut and trim printed graphic signs on rigid substrates as well as machining and carving three dimensional signs and letters (all much faster than traditional machines). In addition to those features, it can also operate as a high-production CNC Router, giving owners the advantage of being able to offer a whole additional variety of products to their customers. 

The SignRouter43 is capable of machining flat and three-dimensional signs using wood, aluminum, composites, chip core, rigid foam, plastics, acrylic, non-ferrous metals and other various types of materials as well as operating as a traditional sign-making machine using optional i-cut Vision camera and software (these highly capable systems accurately trim printed signs, automatically compensating for distortion or rotation in the printed image).

At the show, we demonstrated the SignRouter 43 with a 5’×10 fixed table, featuring a 12 HP HSD spindle and an eleven position automatic tool changer. It features both high acceleration and high performance motions in both positioning and cutting. This system includes quality features seldom, if ever, found at this price point including full stress relieved weldments, high-end Siemens drives throughout, THK rails and three-dimensional volumetric position compensation.  In addition to the 5’×10 table, we also offer a larger variety of table sizes (dual or moving tables/vacuum hold-down methods available). 

Thinking outside the box

A unique aspect of our technology is the ability to do a lot more than just signs.

Thermwood’s SignRouter43 with “QuickCut” technology also offers a revolutionary new approach for nested based applications. Just select and resize cabinets, closet components and POP displays, then make them…right at the machine. You don’t need design software. You don’t need extensive training or a painful learning curve. Pretty much anyone in your shop can make cabinets and closets with a few minutes instruction.  It’s not much more difficult than running a copy machine. 

This can allow you to greatly expand your product offering with the same machine you use to produce your traditional signs!