Thermwood participated at the 2014 IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show) in Chicago, as a part of the world's first 3D printed car team.  

This ambitious undertaking was conceived by Local Motors localmotors.com and carried out by several partners on the project, including Thermwood.  The overall concept was to 3D print, trim, assemble and drive the car all in the one-week time frame of the IMTS show in front of the over 100,000 attendees during the week.

After the car body was 3D printed (the additive portion of the process using a Cincinnati Big Area Additive Manufacturing machine), a Thermwood 5 Axis Model 70 10x15 CNC router was used as the subtractive portion to trim and shape the body into the final streamlined version. This process had to be precise to achieve the correct fit and finish of the body, fenders and all other parts.  

Overall, the entire 3D printing process took 44 hours, machining on the Thermwood took one full day and final assembly was two days! 

Additive portion of the project 

 Time-lapse of the Strati being printed

Subtractive portion on the Thermwood Model 70

Thermwood Model 70 5 Axis CNC router performing the "subtractive" portion of the process

Thermwood's Brent East put in long hours programming and running the subtractive portion of the car

Assembling the Strati

Strati 3D Printed Car being assembled at the IMTS show

The Finished Product

After assembly, the finished Strati was ready to roll, and was driven on the last morning of the IMTS show on Saturday September 13th.   This World's First 3D Printed Car begins a lengthy international tour this week.

Local Motors CEO John B. Rogers Jr. (Jay) says in a press release "The Strati was designed by our community, made in our Microfactory and will be driven by you,  This brand-new process disrupts the manufacturing status quo, changes the consumer experience and proves that a car can be born in an entirely different way."

Maiden Voyage

The project team presents the finished Strati to the world right before its first drive!

World's first 3D printed car drives around downtown Chicago

NBC Chicago Story on the Process - Featuring the Thermwood Model 70 - click to view

About the Model 70

The Multi-Purpose 70 is designed for aerospace and composite applications utilizing large/heavy fixtures (various sizes available).

Model 70 10x20 Fixed Table

Model 70 10x10 Fixed Table

 More Info

What exactly is a smart-router?  

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

Below is a video demonstrating some of the unique features of a Thermwood smart-router:

 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.

	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.

Thermwood to Demonstrate New Auto-Labeling and Unload System on Model 43 and Solid Wood Machining on Model 45

The 2013 AWFS Show (July 24th-27th) promises to be an exciting opportunity to visit Las Vegas and see the very latest in CNC Router technology from Thermwood! 

For AWFS 2013, 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.  This new system will be in action at AWFS 2013 in Booth #8400.

Featuring the CabinetShop 43 with New Automatic Labeling and Unload System:

Speed up Production Time

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.

Also at AWFS we will be demonstrating a Fravol edgebander.  Fravol, known for high quality edgebanders, is exclusively represented and serviced in the US by Thermwood.

Also Demonstrating Solid Wood Machining on the 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.

See at AWFS:

This new system will be in action at AWFS 2013 (July 24th-27th) in Booth #8400.

Thermwood would like to invite you to visit us at the JEC Americas Trade Show in Boston, MA.

When:   Wednesday November 7th to Friday November 9th
Where:  Boston Convention and Exhibition Center -Booth #E14

We are exhibiting the latest Thermwood equipment:- Featuring our newest 5 Axis CNC Router - the Thermwood Model 77.

For a limited time, you can receive a FREE Visitor's Badge to attend the show free of charge - act now to take advantage of this offer!

About the Model 77 CNC Machining Center:

The Thermwood Model 77 5x10 (larger sizes are available) is a heavy duty five-axis CNC router specifically developed for three dimensional machining. This stationary table high wall machine was designed using advanced 3D software utilizing Finite Element Analysis. All major welds including the base and gantry are stress relieved to provide long term stability. This machine is inspected and calibrated utilizing a precision volumetric laser system.   

Features:
• 12 HP (3,000-24,000 RPM) Spindle
• Impact Resistant 5 Axis Head
• 10 Position Rotary Tool Change System
• Rapid Speed: 3500 inches per minute
• Moving Gantry
• QCore SuperControl
• Siemens Intelligent Servo Drives Throughout
• Volumetric 3D Laser Compensated Axis Alignment
• Automatic Tool Length Sensor
• Machine Training and Installation
• Free Lifetime Phone/Forum Support

More information can be found here

Thermwood's latest machine, the AutoProcessor 5x10 - Shown at the 2012 IWF show in Atlanta, GA Booth #5753.

The AutoProcessor 5×10 is a complete solution for Nested Based Panel Processing, Cabinet/Closets, Marine/Boat Building, Furniture Manufacturing, Exhibits/ Store Fixtures, Machining Plastic Sheets and High Volume Cabinet Production. 

With each cycle, the machine first labels the sheet, positions the sheet on the table, machines the material, off-loads the finished parts and then 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.

Features:
• Thermwood QCore SuperControl
•5’ x 10’ Working  Table / Moving Gantry
• Rapid Speed  4,200 IPM
• 4000 lb. Lift Table for Loading
• 12 HP HSK Electro-Spindle
• 8 Position Tool Changer
• Automatic Pop-Up Pins
• Automatic Tool Sensor
• Automatic CNC Labeler
• 9 Spindle Drill Bank
• Unload Table 

More information can be found here

If you plan to be in the Charlotte, NC area over the weekend, please stop by and check out YouBuild Booth #300 at the 2012 Charlotte Build, Remodel & Landscape Expo. The expo will be at the Charlotte Convention center, and runs this Friday, January 6th through Sunday, January 8th.

There will be samples of the products available through the YouBuild program on display, as well as an interactive design and ordering kiosk.  There will be live demos all day.

Below are a couple of shots of the booth before the expo begins:

You can also stop by the Home Depot located at 1220 N Wendover Rd in Charlotte, NC anytime to see the full YouBuild endcap, or check the program out on the web at www.youbuild.com.  Below is a shot of the YouBuild endcap in operation at the Home Depot store in Charlotte:

And finally, here is an introductory video to the YouBuild program:

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.

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!