Today, there is an alternative to replacing your old CNC router with a new one. You can replace the obsolete CNC control with a new, modern, high performance control. You can replace the servo drives with state-of-the-art brushless AC servo drives. Old, worn out router heads can be replaced with rugged, reliable Extended Duty Routers. Additional tooling can be added such as piggyback routers, 32mm drill banks and horizontal drills. You can even add a rotary turret head equipped with routers, shapers, sanders and drills. New Universal Vacuum tables can be added to your machine. The result is the performance and throughput of a new CNC router at a fraction of the cost.

Upgrade with Thermwood, First in CNC Routers

Thermwood's business is CNC routers. Thermwood has been continuously producing CNC routers longer than anyone else in the US. Over the years Thermwood has been known for two things, innovation and service. Much of today's CNC router technology was originally developed at Thermwood. Even today, while much of the industry stagnates, Thermwood continues to develop router technology generating an average of one new patent application each month. 

And now, you can benefit from this effort without purchasing a brand new piece of equipment. Much of the technology can be easily retrofitted to existing CNC routers. Thermwood has always offered upgrades to its own equipment. Now, Thermwood is offering this same service for all CNC routers.

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Is your CNC router worth upgrading?

Much of the original cost of a CNC router is in the basic mechanics. These basic mechanics include the machine base, table, gantry, drive screws, ways and bearings. The basic mechanics of all existing CNC routers are essentially the same and they change little over the years. The real value of a CNC router is in the control, the servo drives, the machining heads and the part hold down. To a large extent, these determine what you can produce, how fast you can produce it and what the quality will be.

If the basic mechanics of your existing CNC router are in good, serviceable condition and the configuration, table size and axes travels are adequate, then it might be more cost effective to keep the basic mechanics and upgrade the technical components which have become obsolete. If the basic mechanics also need to be rebuilt, then it might be more cost efficient to purchase a new machine. New CNC routers are produced in automated, efficient factories. It generally costs less to build new basic mechanics than to perform a one time rebuild on an existing machine.

The general rule of thumb is, if the machine is in good mechanical condition it is more cost effective to upgrade the machine, if the basic mechanics need work it is probably better to replace the entire machine.

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The upgrade process

The process of upgrading a CNC router will vary with extent of the upgrade. If the control system and drives are being replaced, the machine may need to be ship to Thermwood for the work to be performed. If a Universal Vacuum Table is being added, the components can be shipped to the customer who can generally install the system without additional help.

When the machine is shipped to Thermwood for control and drive replacement, we can laser calibrate each axis. In many cases this results in a machine which is more accurate than when it was new. Labor is more efficient, labor costs are less and there is no travel or living expense costs when the work is done at Thermwood. This must be balanced with the cost of loading and shipping the machine. The most efficient way to handle each upgrade must be determined on a case by case basis.

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After the upgrade

You will receive a one year limited parts warranty on all components that are part of an upgrade. You receive free access to Thermwood's toll free "Hot Line" connecting you to a qualified technical service representative to answer questions and provide help. A CNC control upgrade includes a one week training class for two people at Thermwood's Customer Education Center.

As Thermwood technology advances, you will be offered the opportunity to add these new features and to update your new system. Thus, you can keep your system continuously updated and avoid the expense of a major update at some point in the future. Even more important, you can be certain that you have those new features that keep you competitive as business and your needs change.

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An upgraded machine means lower costs and more production

Control system technology has advanced substantially in the last few years. Old NC or CNC controls typically loaded only one program at a time, some used punched tape, communication was limited, if it existed at all, editing and program adjustments at the machine were either difficult or not possible. The result was slower production rates, longer setup and less production. In days of long production runs, this was OK. Today, with shorter runs and a fast moving production environment, this is no longer acceptable.

In today’s environment, a new control means your production operation is more responsive. There is less idle time, more production and more profits. You can respond to the needs of the market. You are more competitive.

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A modern CNC control is...

The 91000 SuperControl offers the most advanced CNC control available, efficiently dealing with today’s fast paced, ever changing production environment. With a massive amount of storage built-in, all your CNC programs can be stored in the control at the same time. Programs are organized in a directory structure so it is easy to find the exact program to load. Or, an optional bar code can be printed on your work order so a simple scan, at the machine, loads the correct program. No more loading errors.

The control is easy to use. A simple menu bar allows the operator to quickly and easily access any of the advanced features of the control. Delays caused by the operator forgetting how to access certain features, overdue maintenance or errors are substantially less due to the Service Guide system. The Service Guide system consists of an electronic manual, hyper-text search, maintenance video, graphic error display and service clock.

An optional Hand Held Programmer allows you to edit and create programs right at the machine. There is simply no easier way to handle last minute changes or emergency requirements. Or, you can add a probe system and scan surfaces or program complex curves or wood carvings from a model.

The SuperControl is compatible with a variety of communication systems. It can use a simple DNC link or it will work on most computer networks. No longer must the operator stop the machine, set up the control and then remain idle while programs are up and down loaded. With the 91000 Control, the operator never need know that communications are occurring in the background.

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Brushless AC servo drives mean higher performance & better reliability

Modern CNC routers use brushless AC servo drives. AC servo drives provide more power, faster acceleration, from smaller packages, producing less heat, with higher reliability and less maintenance than DC servo drives. With the high end drives used by Thermwood, should a problem ever occur, a built in diagnostic system determines the problem so it can be corrected and you can be back in production quickly. But, problems seldom occur with the high reliability of today’s AC servo drives.

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New tooling means more capability

Perhaps your product line has changed. When you first bought your router, a single router head was sufficient. Today, you need additional machining capacity to produce your current parts. Perhaps a piggyback router, or maybe two, a 32mm drill bank, a horizontal drill or maybe a scoring saw. Perhaps you need quick change tooling on your main head. Or perhaps you just need a more rugged, reliable router head. As part of your upgrade, you can add these capabilities. Your simple, limited machine can be turned into a multifunction machining center. You can machine complex panels, drill, dado, shape, route, saw and carve.

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Universal vacuum is the key to fast change over

How do you hold your parts down today? There have been impressive advances in hold down systems during the last several years, including the Universal Vacuum System for panels. This system holds down panels without the need for fixtures or vacuum seals. It allows efficient production of quantities as little as one part since there is no setup or change-over from one size panel to another. It opens up new manufacturing methods such as producing all associated parts for a product at one time rather than batching parts. The Universal Vacuum System can be fitted to most existing machines. Again, you don’t have to buy a new CNC router to get modern features and improve your productivity.

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For more information:
Contact the Upgrade Services Manager
by e-mail or call us at 1-800-221-3865 (Ext. 251)

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