The Model 90 is a new 5-axis CNC router from Thermwood. It targets high speed trimming of three-dimensional parts, and incorporates many new technical developments. The Model 90 was designed using state-of-the-art technology

Mechanical structures of the Model 90’s were designed using finite element analysis. This is a sophisticated CAD technology that intensely analyzes strength, stiffness, deformation and dynamics of the machine structure. It was used to increase its strength, stiffness and performance of the Model 90. The result is a stout lower gantry design with a wide base structure providing a platform of stiffness and rigidity.

All the weldments are stress relieved to increase strength, stiffness and provide long term stability. Advanced precision helical rack and pinion drive systems and high-performance AC digital brushless motors power the major linear axes. It utilizes trackway systems designed with high stiffness and high load carrying capacity on all linear axes. The Model 90 is also precision laser calibrated using a laser interferometer which can measure to literally millionths of an inch. This allows the control to compensate for even the tiniest mechanical variation, assuring the best possible accuracy, something that is vital if you are using a CAD system to program.

The Model 90’s new Z axis structure is streamlined to reduce weight, but designed with high rigidity and stiffness allowing for stable high speed motions. Zero backlash harmonic drive units power the rotary axes in the 5-axis head.

From a speed standpoint, Model 90 cycle times are dramatically faster. For example, the cycle time of the part we are trimming here is 40% faster than on a traditional 5-axis CNC router. Why? The stiffer, lighter Impact Resistant Head along with dramatic improvements in overall mechanical design allows the Model 90 to handle quick motions that can slow or shake other machines.

The Model 90 includes an Impact Resistant Head which allows for a lighter, stiffer structure without danger of damage in a crash. This means more speed. The machine has a larger envelope for the table size, allowing full horizontal table coverage side to side and front to back.

The Model 90 is equipped with dual 5 foot by 5 foot solid aluminum tables. Each table is equipped threaded inserts for fixture positioning and mounting. A quick change vacuum system that mounts in front of each table is also available for part holding fixtures.

A dual-end 7 HP programmable variable speed spindle is standard on the Model 90. Automatic tool changers along with larger horsepower spindles are also available.

All in all, the model 90 represents a new generation of trimming machine, a machine with a part large envelope and high speed accurate and stable motions. A machine you can’t break because of a simple error. This could be the perfect machine for you. Thermwood has a complete demonstration facility where you are invited to come and see it in operation, trimming your part. Contact us and schedule a visit!

Impact Resistant Head

The Impact Resistant Head is a solution to a common problem that occurs during the programming and set-up of five axis machines. At some time or another you will run the head into the fixture, causing it to go out of alignment or possibly even damage it. And, as you’re probably aware, maintaining accurate head alignment is vital to producing accurately trimmed parts.
Thermwood’s 5-axis heads have always allowed for realignment. Some others have no provisions for adjustment so when it’s out of alignment you’re out of luck. However, re-aligning a 5-axis head does take the machine out of production which is not a desirable thing. Today, with Thermwood’s Impact Resistant Head, the problem is all but gone.
With the Impact Resistant Head, the axis four and five mechanism is held accurately in place on precision tapered die seats with a series of heavy duty die springs. An impact simply compresses the springs, allowing the head to move off the seats before enough force is generated to cause damage or affect alignment. This also instantly stops the machine. So now, when the head is crashed into the fixture, just move the machine away from the part and the head returns to the original position on the die seats. Just reset the e-stop and you are ready to continue with no permanent damage and, seldom, if ever, a requirement for realignment.
Regardless of how you develop your programs or how careful you are, some time or another, you will crash the head. How the machine handles this is the difference between a non-event and perhaps days or weeks of downtime, should the head require repair or replacement.
The Impact Resistant Head is patented and only available from Thermwood, and since is a Thermwood product; it can easily be retrofitted to existing Thermwood 5-axis machines.

Thermwood SuperControl

Your CNC router is only as flexible as your CNC control. Thermwood is the only major CNC router manufacturer that designs and builds its own CNC control, a control so advanced it is used by aerospace, defense and even NASA for some of their most demanding applications. This control is designed from its very core to operate a CNC router, which means you can do more and it’s easier.
Thermwood’s CNC control offers full five axis simultaneous motion which allows for more efficient program motions. The system is equipped with five-axis tool length compensation and individual compensation for each gantry axis of a moving gantry configuration machine.
There is another important consideration when machining three dimensional patterns or molds. CAD generated programs usually consist of millions of tiny motions, all strung together. When these are sent to most CNC controls, they choke. Thermwood’s control leads the technology in these areas. First, it has huge program storage capacity and uses the hard disk as virtual memory. We can easily hold programs tens of gigabytes in size and execute them with no delays, no stopping. Thermwood’s control also has one of the fastest, if not the fastest block processing time in the industry. We can execute complex CAD generated programs at high speed, and without stopping.
The control keeps track of machine use and alerts you when lubrication or maintenance is needed. It shows you step by step videos of how to adjust, maintain and repair your machine. And, in addition to Thermwood’s professional phone support and on-site service, you can connect your control to Thermwood’s technical service center with the push of a button, establishing an audio, video and data link. We call this feature Virtual Service. You see and talk to the service technician, right on the control screen, and he sees and talks to you, but he also sees deep into your system to provide help with everything from tooling and programming questions to machine configuration and performance. In fact, virtually everything a service technician can do in your shop can also be done via Virtual Service. Virtual Service simply makes getting help easy, fast and highly effective.
Thermwood offers an Advanced Support Program that keeps your machine’s control updated with the latest software features and provides an ongoing warranty on the control. As part of the program, Thermwood customers receive a substantial discount on part purchases and have ongoing Virtual Service support.
Because Thermwood controls all the technology, you have single source responsibility. No longer must you tolerate the machine builder and control manufacturer blaming each other when you have a problem. Thermwood stands behind and supports the entire system.
And when new technology comes out, you can easily upgrade your Thermwood control, we do it all the time. This is seldom possible with others.
The key to CNC router capability is the CNC control, and Thermwood clearly has the most capable CNC control.

Programming

Creating CNC programs for five-axis trimming can be challenging, especially when CAD data is not available. In these instances, Thermwood offers a powerful Hand Held Programmer which you can use, right on the machine, to trace the part and create the program. Thermwood’s control has full five-axis simultaneous motion (some systems are limited to any three axes, but only three). Five axis simultaneous capability makes program development easier. You can create lines, arcs, circles and even splines, quickly and easily, and this method of creating programs has been refined over the years to include valuable programming tools that make the process quicker and easier.
The Hand Held Programmer is easy to use and intuitive, so virtually anyone can learn to develop programs with it. Others may offer a programming box, but there in nothing today that compares to Thermwood’s Hand Held Programmer.