atest CNC routers are described as true ‘heavyweights’ by the builder who says they offer minimal maintenance and maximum machine performance and longevity and infinite ‘look ahead’ contouring.

Techno introduces the new Premium Class of CNC routers.

This new family of routers is a true heavyweight with the 59in x 96in travel unit weighing in at over 6000 lb.

These new CNC routers feature welded and stress relieved all steel construction plus THK rails, bearings and ball screws on all three axes to guarantee minimal maintenance and maximum machine performance and longevity.

They feature brushless closed loop servomotors for optimal performance, speed and accuracy.

These routers also feature infinite lock ahead high speed contouring to take advantage of the brushless servo capabilities.

This new router series comes standard with a heavy T-slot table and is also available with a vacuum table option that still allows the use of the T-slots.

This provides the flexibility of both clamping and vacuum hold down as the situation might require.

The Premium Class line of CNC Routers is ideal for the heaviest and most demanding production routing of plastics, wood, aluminum, composites, etc,.

Beyond the heavy-duty frame and design, the new Premium Class line comes standard with Techno’s easy to use Windows PC based interface for communicating with any CAD/CAM or sign making software that outputs industry standard GCODE.

Most major functions are just one-click away with the Techno CNC Interface, including: a built-in GCODE editor, toolpath preview, production logging and reporting and free lifetime software updates via the Internet to name a few.

The Premium Class is available in 4-standard sizes of 59in x 50in, 59in x 96in, 59in x 120in and 59in x 144in with special sizes available upon request.

The brochure, identified as H859 is available free upon request from Techno, 2101 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, New York 11042-5416.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toi/toi104.html

Thermwood Corporation, always on the cutting edge of technology, is now taking its CNC expertise to new markets

Written by Militza Richard & Produced by Shaheen Mohammadipour

The Thermwood Corporation has never been intimidated by technology. Founded in 1969 as a plastic molder for wood-grained parts for the furniture industry, the company developed their own CNC tool in the mid 1970s.

“We ended up building the first CNC control system ever offered commercially,” says company founder and CEO Ken Susnjara. The company developed its own operating systems and evolved their CNC routers into a very powerful and capable system.

Used to cut, trim and shape a wide variety of materials including wood, plastic, composites, foam, honeycomb core and non-ferrous metals into either flat or three-dimensional shaped products, CNC routers have changed the face of the machine industry. Thermwood is the oldest CNC router company in the world and the only CNC manufacturer in the country with a GSA certification.

With customers ranging from NASA to Broadway, Thermwood offers a wide variety of systems, in both three and five axis configurations in a wide range of sizes. The company has also become a major international player with operations across the globe.

NEW MARKETS

For many years, Thermwood Corporation has been extremely successful focusing on three key markets: woodworking, plastics and aerospace. However, the company has recently begun expanding into new markets, such as the growing wind sector.

“We’ve made a huge number of changes in the downturn,” says Susnjara. “We’ve revamped marketing, targeted the wind energy market, and created some new machines. We didn’t pull into our shells. You have to go out there and get the business.”

With Ken’s son Jason Susnjara heading up the marketing department, Thermwood Corporation has embraced online marketing and begun attending new tradeshows, opening doors into new business sectors.

“We had a traditional marketing plan that had worked well for us, but over the past few years we have begun embracing electronics and becoming internet savvy. It’s worked rather nicely. By spreading out our marketing we have been able to pick up business in new sectors,” says Ken Susnjara.

Entering these new markets has been essential as the economy continues to struggle. “The biggest trends are our competitors going out of business,” says Susnjara. “We are in a dozen markets in 35 countries, and we would have never believed they would all dip at the same time.”

But the company has taken the down time to revamp and is now excited about the future. “As the economy recovers we will be much stronger,” states Susnjara. He believes the economy is turning around and is excited that more and more companies are beginning to adopt CNC technology.

IMPROVED MACHINES

As Thermwood enters new market places, the company has also developed larger, more accurate machines. However, one problem with large machines is the head alignment. Ensuring accuracy comes with a

high cost.

To solve this problem, Thermwood has employed 3-D laser systems to measure the exact position of the head everywhere in the working envelope. They then developed technology that allows their CNC control to take this data and compensate for any machine error.

This system cuts down on the cost, making it practical to build larger machines. “We have sold 60ft machines and with the new system we can run the Z axis into the 10-12ft range,” explains Susnjara.

As Thermwood continues to improve its systems, its technology continues to become more accurate and easier to use. For example, mounting a fixture used to be a task that could take hours of painstaking work, but Thermwood’s new technology can transform the program to match the fixture instead of the other way around, cutting out hours of work.

“Things that used to take a lot of time and skill are now being handled in the control,” says Susnjara. “Once we discover the needs of a client, we can generally come up with a way to meet those needs better than our competitors. We can offer the machines for 1/3 less money with specs that are better.”

Thermwood hopes to apply this technological savvy to the growing wind sector. Susnjara says the company has programs in place with leaders in the industry and is excited about the “unique technologies they will be able to bring to the industry.”

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Thermwood is able to offer flexible technological solutions to its clients thanks to the hard work and skill of its employees. “We get pretty good folks. This area has a strong work ethic and skilled people,” says Susnjara.

In fact, he says many of the people who were with the company in the beginning are still there today. Their very first employee just retired last year, and many employees are second generation. And while there have been layoffs and pay cuts due to the economy, Susnjara says that in a normal year a turnover rate of 1 or 1.5 percent is bad.

Thermwood also cultivates long-term relationships with its vendors and distributors. Having been in the same business for so long, they have maintained great relationships with all of their vendors. “We have a philosophy that everyone needs to make money. We don’t squeeze our vendors. It’s better to create relationships where you support each other,” says Susnjara.

Similarly, the company has worked with many of its distributors for 20 or 30 years. Many are now second generation.

http://www.energydigital.com/Thermwood-Corporation–CNC-Innovator_41103.aspx

Techno, Inc. - CNC Router Systems

Release date: November 19, 2009

If you’re tired of manufacturing products with hand tools, and tired of losing work to competitors who are under bidding you, Techno CNC wants to give you a $1,000 incentive to automate your cutting process.Techno CNC Offers $1,000 Holiday Discount on CNC Router Machines!

New Hyde Park, NY — -”Our customers have seen their businesses change dramatically with our machines,” says Roy Valentine, Techno CNC sales manager. “We know wood workers, sign makers, plastic fabricators, and many other industry fabricators need to automate their cutting process. With aggressive US government incentives to purchase capital equipment we felt we should chime in as well. This extended discount is to encourage and motivate companies to automate and streamline there production. We hope this added contribution will prove that Techno equipment is a small investment with a big return.”

To learn more about the $1,000 Techno CNC discount and see a video of the Techno CNC router machines in action, please visit: http://www.CNC-Router-Machines.com

For more than 23 years, the experts at Techno have led the industry in the design and manufacture of CNC routers; routers known for their performance, durability, and ease-of-use. Techno CNC routers allow customers to cut with greater accuracy, faster production speed, and expand their business into new markets by cutting parts they could not cut by hand. Techno continues to set industry standards.

“The accuracy is incredible on these machines,” said Techno CNC customer Tom Farmer, owner and CEO of Hilton, N.Y.-based Upstate CNC Service Inc. “If you want to do something the old way with a Jigsaw you can hope that you get a straight line or an accurate curve. But the Techno CNC machines are computer perfect. I can make 1,000 parts exactly the same. You couldn’t do that with a hand tool.”

The Pro-series CNC Router is designed to meet the demanding production needs of panel processing shops. This machine model is engineered for optimal performance and product throughput in sheet goods such as plastic, wood, and similar materials. The LC Series, Techno’s most popular model, is ideal for small to mid-size production shops. It’s an excellent entry-level machine that allows the user to start with a CNC Router featuring many advancements typically found in more expensive machines. In addition the LC Series has two Table top models available for small part processing.

The Patriot CNC is ideal for prototyping, model making, jewelry manufacturing, or schools for teaching CAD/CAM technology to students. The Patriot is fully enclosed and can be equipped with many accessories such as a reverse engineering digitizer an automatic tool changer, and 4-axis for intricate carvings.

“We’ve always been impressed by the quality of their American-made machines,” said Bob Barnes, another Techno CNC customer and owner Aurora, IL based Display Connections, a manufacturer of point-of-purchase displays. “The fact that we’ve purchased seven machines from them over the years says it all!”

Whether you’re working with wood, plastic, or other routable materials, Techno has a CNC router for you. Isn’t it time for your business to lower labor costs, shorten lead times, and become more profitable? Call 516-328-3970 for more information or visit the following website to learn about the Techno CNC $1,000 discount visit: http://www.CNC-Router-Machines.com

Techno CNC Routers turn a small investment into a big return. Thousands of companies are currently using Techno CNC systems for numerous applications on a wide range of materials, such as: woods, metals, plastics, foam, MDF, and more.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/569085

Industrial grade 3- and 4-axis CNC routers are affordable, said the supplier, and ideal for cutting complex curves and machining 3D reliefs for mouldings.

Intelicam manufactures affordable, industrial grade 3- and 4-axis CNC Routers ideal for cutting complex curves and machining 3D reliefs for moulds.

The company told manufacturingtalk.com that it has just begun construction of a 4-axis high speed foam cutting CNC Router.

The router has a 5ft x 10ft process area, 4ft of Z-axis motion and an integrated rotational axis that can clamp a foam block 4ft in diameter by almost 7ft long.

The all ball screw and servo drive unit can traverse at 2,000 in/min, and is fitted with, as standard, the following.

* A six-position tool changer.

* Water cooled spindle with inverter.

* Special designed foam cutting router bits up to 12in in length with a 1in diameter shaft.

* Tool height sensor.

* Chip pickup with vacuum.

All moving parts are sealed and protected with baffles from foam particles, which otherwise will harden over time causing maintenance issues.

Intelicam is offering this system for less than US$60,000.

Intelicam is also building a companion high speed foam router that replaces the rotational 4th axis with a vacuum table and 15HP vacuum blower.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ixa/ixa100.html

Techno as introduced a Tabletop CNC Router line.

These machines have ball screws on all three axes to ensure minimal maintenance and machine longevity.

To complement the new line’s special design, Techno has also equipped the machines with closed-loop servo motors and drives.

The quality components Techno uses create a standard of optimal performance, speed and accuracy in each and every one of your routing applications.

The Tabletop line of CNC Routers is ideal for the production routing of plastic, wood, aluminum, composites, etc Beyond the heavy-duty construction and design, the new Tabletop line comes standard with Techno’s easy to use Windows PC-based interface for communicating with any CAD/CAM G-Code outputting system.

Most major functions are just one click away with the Techno CNC Interface, including: a built-in G-Code editor and toolpath preview, production logging and reporting, infinite look-ahead and continuous motion and free lifetime updates (via the internet).Techno Tabletop Routers are available in 5-standard sizes ranging from 11in x 13in to 41in x 49in and can be upgraded with several of Techno’s CNC Accessories, such as: vacuum table hold-down, tool-change spindles, 2D, 3D and laser scanning options.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toi/toi110.html

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (Aug. 31, 4:40 p.m. ET) — Weeke Bohrsysteme GmbH, a German maker of computer numerically controlled routers, has started making an entry-level series of the routers at a 30,000-square-foot plant in Grand Rapids, near the headquarters of its long-time, exclusive distributor, Stiles Machinery Inc.

Stiles Machinery announced the news at NPE2009 in Chicago.

Weeke North America was formed as a joint venture between the Stiles, Weeke and Weeke’s parent the Homag Group, a German industrial conglomerate. The Michigan plant is making the Weeke Vantech series of routers for panels.

Weeke North America sources components from local manufacturers. The plant produces CNC routers to order, but can offer short delivery times, the companies said.

http://www.plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=16528

Due to an escalation in demand for Rockdoor products, the leading composite door manufacturer has invested in an Italmac CNC Router that will help to increase output.

The fully automated Italmac CNC Router, the first of its kind in the UK, has been installed at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Blackburn and will be dedicated to inner and outer-frame production.

Rockdoor has seen steady but substantial growth over the last 12 months in the composite door market with sales increasing by 80% through 2008.

It is intended that this investment will further streamline the company’s manufacturing capabilities to help establish the site as the most advanced composite door manufacturing facility in Europe.

With production reaching record levels each month, Rockdoor’s growth has been attributed to new business and a rising demand from existing customers.

Rockdoor is the only fully engineered PVC-U composite door on the market that incorporates strength, security, durability and low maintenance combined with aesthetics.

Manufactured with a 10 year guarantee customers are provided with the reassurance that they can ‘fit and forget’ products from the Rockdoor range .

Sales Director Mark Simm comments: “The new CNC router assures total reliability and efficiency in our production process”.

“This investment in our state-of-the-art facilities will help increase capacity and enable us to more than satisfy customer demand.”.

http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/rou/rou159.html

Torchmate has unveiled the Routermate CNC router system, available in sizes from a 2ft x 4ft cutting surface to a 10ft x 40ft cutting surface.

Torchmate’s research and development team examined the pre-existing design and fabrication of the CNC router pinpointing vulnerable construction points and correcting them in their structural plan.

To maintain rigidity, the Z-axis bearings are located at the bottom of the axis plate, and do not move away from the material as the Z-axis moves the travelling distance of 8.5in.

The standard version of the Routermate is equipped with stepper motors.

Servos are available as an option.

All drive systems are completely gear driven, with the exception of the Z-axis that is a recirculating ball-screw drive.

The Y and Z axes have 24 bearings each for linear rigidity, and the X-axis runs on 16 cam follower type bearings.

These CNC router tables are available as a complete bolt-together kit, or fully assembled Y and Z axes can be purchased separately as the consumer builds their own table.

X-axis rails can be purchased separately for easy mounting of the gantry to the table.

The Routermate gantry comes from the factory fully assembled.

The Routermate’s table is adjustable in height from 6in to 34in.

In addition to this vertical adjustment, each of the table cross slat brackets is adjustable to the left and right, allowing side clamping of larger parts.

The cross slats can also be mounted vertically by adjusting the end brackets.

This can be used to reduce deflection when used with heavier materials.

The table has additional independent vertical stops to allow just one person to change the height quickly and securely.

All the surfaces of the cross brackets are T-slotted for clamping work on any surface.

The Routermate’s Z-axis can accept various attachments with four mounting holes on a 0.75in-thick retractable main plate.

Routermate accessories and software provide a way of minimising debris and dust, producing superior surface finishes, and achieving accurate cuts, said Torchmate.

The dust collection option includes ducting and a vinyl skirt for containing fragments.

The spray mist coolant system is useful when cutting material that heats up and can benefit from lubrication using a vegetable-based water-soluble oil.

Other attachments include a drilling and tapping system, and the ability to add a plasma cutter to the Routermate.

Several software options are available for the Routermate.

Routermate driver software is capable of starting and stopping the router motor, coolant and dust collection systems for a fully automated process.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ntf/ntf100.html

Latest CNC routers are described as true ‘heavyweights’ by the builder who says they offer minimal maintenance and maximum machine performance and longevity and infinite ‘look ahead’ contouring.

Techno introduces the new Premium Class of CNC routers.

This new family of routers is a true heavyweight with the 59in x 96in travel unit weighing in at over 6000 lb.

These new CNC routers feature welded and stress relieved all steel construction plus THK rails, bearings and ball screws on all three axes to guarantee minimal maintenance and maximum machine performance and longevity.

They feature brushless closed loop servomotors for optimal performance, speed and accuracy.

These routers also feature infinite lock ahead high speed contouring to take advantage of the brushless servo capabilities.

This new router series comes standard with a heavy T-slot table and is also available with a vacuum table option that still allows the use of the T-slots.

This provides the flexibility of both clamping and vacuum hold down as the situation might require.

The Premium Class line of CNC Routers is ideal for the heaviest and most demanding production routing of plastics, wood, aluminum, composites, etc,.

Beyond the heavy-duty frame and design, the new Premium Class line comes standard with Techno’s easy to use Windows PC based interface for communicating with any CAD/CAM or sign making software that outputs industry standard GCODE.

Most major functions are just one-click away with the Techno CNC Interface, including: a built-in GCODE editor, toolpath preview, production logging and reporting and free lifetime software updates via the Internet to name a few.

The Premium Class is available in 4-standard sizes of 59in x 50in, 59in x 96in, 59in x 120in and 59in x 144in with special sizes available upon request.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toi/toi104.html

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems has announced a new large-format CNC router line aiming to help people wanting to use CNC machining for areas of 4ft x 8ft and upwards.

The aluminium T-slot table and Vision Series 3 Controller helps create a dependable system, with advanced software and an Ethernet interface allowing the user to adapt it to a range of ideas, such as CNC milling, drilling, contouring and routing.

Vision PRO 8 software comes as standard with the routers as well, allowing companies to have a “high level of flexibility” when working with graphics and logos on the workpieces.

The organisation continued: “This extensive software package also has the ability to run virtually any type of router, engraver, laser engraver, colour printer or vinyl plotter on the market.”

Vision Engraving also revealed this month that it is to release the 2525 and 2550 precision routers, targeted directly at the sign-making business.

http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/machine-tool-news/New-large-format-CNC-router-line-announced-2009-6-.asp