Frequently Asked Questions

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thermwood
First in CNC Routers
Thermwood
pioneered
CNC routers.
Now,
Thermwood
has pioneered
a new
programming
system which
solves the last,
and greatest,
problem of
CNC routers,
creating the
program.
The Thermwood Probe
The Thermwood Probe
The Thermwood Probe System is the single most
significant improvement in CNC router programming since the Hand Held Programmer. It is a
highly advanced technology that is so easy to
use that virtually anyone can create fast efficient programs in minutes, even for complex
shapes. Five axis, three dimensional curves,
which required days of effort by highly trained
programmers using expensive CAD/CAM systems, can now be programmed in a few minutes
by almost anyone. In plastics, complex trim paths
can be generated in minutes. In woodworking,
complex curves, samples and even three dimensional wood carvings can be programmed using the Probe. In aerospace, programs can be
quickly developed for existing parts and existing
surfaces. To create a program using the Thermwood Probe System...
"Just move the
Probe over the part"
The Probe can be
used to program both
three axis and five
axis par ts. When
mounted to the machine head, the Probe
is used to move the
machine axes. For example, when you pull
down on the probe, regardless of the orientation of the head, the Z axis moves down. It is
like power steering for your machine. You move
the Probe, and thus the machine head, around
the part you want to program. It moves slowly
during programming, allowing ample time to generate an accurate, smooth path. The machine
runs at normal cutting speed during program execution.
The Probe can also be used to generate a series of paths needed to machine a smooth
curved surface. Programming the surface is done
automatically using the Probe. The outside edge
of the part and the step over per pass is first
2
defined. Then, the probe moves automatically,
back and forth over the surface creating the program. It is now easy to create patterns or molds,
reproduce antique furniture or create almost any
surface from a model.
"programs are smooth
and accurate"
The resulting programs
are similar to programs
created by advanced
CAD/CAM systems.
Programs are accurate,
since they were created
directly from the part.
This is not always the
case with programs created from theoretical data
using a CAD/CAM system. The Thermwood
Probe can also be used to spot points on a part,
and then upload these points to a CAD/CAM system for final program development. This insures
that the resulting program actually matches the
real part.
"increase production,
quality and profits"
Since program development occurs very quickly,
more machine time is
available for production
and less machine time is
required for programming
or debugging of off line
created programs. Since
the program matches an
actual trimmed part, overall product quality improves. Complex program paths are as smooth
as those created by advanced five axis CAD/
CAM systems and execute faster than most programs created using lines and arcs. This means
faster cycle times and more production.
How Does It Work?
The Probe
attaches to
the router
spindle. The
Probe tool is
in line with
the router bit
but offset
about
4
inches in
front of the router bit position. The Probe is mechanically clamped to the router and electronically
connected using two plug connectors. Now we are
ready to...
Probe the part.
The probe tool
is used to move
the three linear
axes of the machine. The machine will move
in whatever direction
the
probe is moved.
This movement
is very natural
since the machine moves in the correct direction
regardless of the orientation of the head. Pulling
on the probe when it lies along the X axis will move
the X Axis. Pulling on the probe when it lies along
the Y Axis will move the Y Axis. Pulling on the
probe when it is between the two will move each
axis so that the head moves in the direction the
probe is pointed. The two rotary head axes are
controlled using a control button. With a little practice, moving the head along any desired path becomes easy and natural.
Programs can be developed using the "Point
Mode", the "Path Mode" or a combination of the
two. In the "Point Mode", the machine is moved
around freely until a desired position is reached
and then that position is programmed by pressing the "Point Record Button". In the "Path
Mode", the control records the entire path as it
is generated and this path becomes part of the
program. Thermwood's Hand Held Programmer
works seamlessly with the probe providing even
more power and capability. Once the program
is complete, the final step is..
Adjust the offset.
Since the probe
tool was located
in front of the location of the
router bit during
program development, we now
use Thermwood's
five axis cutter length compensation capability
to shift the program the correct distance toward
the part during program execution. Simply type
the offset value in the compensation table and...
How Does It Work?
Plug it in...
Run the part.
Note that the
program executes much
faster than it
was taught.
Five axis program development
has
never been
easier.
3
Frequently Asked Questions
?
4
What is the
Thermwood Probe?
The Thermwood Probe is an electronic sensor
which attaches to the head of a Thermwood
CNC Router. Pulling on the Probe causes the
machine head to move in the direction that the
Probe is pulled. It is like power steering for the
machine head. Special software allows complex CNC programs to be created by simply
moving the Probe over a trimmed part.
Will the Probe work on
a five axis machine?
Yes. Sophisticated software allows the probe to
move the machine in the direction you are pulling regardless of the orientation of the head. For
example, if you pull on the Probe when it is orientated along the X axis, the X axis will move. If
you pull on the Probe when it is orientated along
the Y axis, the Y axis will move. If the Probe is
between the X and Y axis, both axes will move
so that the machine moves in the direction that
you are pulling. The "feel" of this is very natural.
It seems that the machine simply follows whatever direction you are pulling the Probe.
How do you move
axis 4 and 5,
the rotary head axes?
The Probe body contains a red flex button
which controls the two
rotary head axes. Pulling down or up moves
Axis 5 and pulling sideways moves Axis 4.
Again, it is natural and
intuitive. Simply pull the
button in the direction
you want the head to
rotate and it will rotate
in that direction.
?
Can I move the rotary
axes and the linear axes
at the same time?
Yes. By guiding the
Probe with one hand
and the flex-button
with the other, complex motions, including full five axis paths
can be generated.
There are several programming modes for the
Probe. Trimming programs are created using
the "Point Mode" and the "Path Mode". In the
"Point Mode", the Probe is used to move the
machine to a desired position and the position
is entered. The program will execute a linear
motion from the last position to the current position. In this mode, the Probe and the Hand
Held Programmer can be used together. For
example, the Hand Held Programmer could be
used to achieve the approximate position and
then the Probe used to achieve a final position.
You can go back and forth between using the
Probe and using the Hand Held Programmer.
The motion can be entered either using the Hand
Held Programmer or the Probe.
A second programming mode for the Probe is
the "Path Mode". While in this mode, the path
that the Probe moves is recorded. This is ideal
for programming curved trim paths and produces code that is similar to that produced by
sophisticated five axis CAD/CAM systems.
The "Point Mode", "Path Mode" and Hand Held
Programmer input can all be combined in a
single program. For example, the Hand Held
Programmer and Probe can be used to locate
the starting position. The "Path Mode" can then
tions are endless
and programming
time has never been
shorter.
A third mode, called
the "Scan Mode" is
also available. This
mode only works in
three axes and is
used to machine a
three dimensional surface. Using the "Scan
Mode" the outer perimeter of a model is defined
and a parameter called " step over" is defined .
The machine then automatically scans back and
forth over the surface of the model, shifting the "
step over" distance between each scan until the
entire surface has been programmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
?
be used to define a
curved trim path. The
Probe, in the "Point
Mode", can then be
used to locate the
starting point of a circular cut out and the
circle can be programmed using the
Hand Held Programmer. The combina-
How do you create a
program using the
Probe?
?
5
Frequently Asked Questions
How much faster is
programming with the Probe?
That depends on the part. It is not uncommon
to cut programming time in half on relatively
simple parts. For more complex parts with
curved flowing trim lines, the Probe can create
a program in few minutes that might take days
of longer to develop using older methods. We
believe that combining the Probe and the Hand
Held Programmer offers the fastest programming
system available and will require less overall machine time than even using off line CAD/CAM
programming systems.
?
6
Does this mean I
no longer need my
CAD/CAM system?
Not necessarily. If you have a CAD/CAM system, you already know that the only way to get
reasonably accurate trim programs is to record
points on the machine and then back load them
into the CAD system and develop the trim path.
Using the Probe and the "Point Mode", the
needed points can be generated in a few minutes rather than a few hours. If you don't have a
CAD system, however, the Probe may very well
provide all the programming capabilities needed
and eliminate the need to purchase a CAD system. The optimum system for each company
will vary depending on the complexity of the parts
and the number of new programs required.
Will the Probe work on
older Thermwood
5 axis routers?
The Probe will work
on any Thermwood
router equipped
with a 91000
SuperControl and
software version
3.12 or higher.
Older versions of
the SuperControl
will require an update to the newest
operating system
and SuperControls
with the old SIO board design will need the newer
high speed SIO board. The operating system
update comes with a Probe purchase and the
SIO board upgrade is reasonably priced.
Older Thermwood AC or DC drive machines with
9100 or earlier controls will need to upgrade their
control to the current 91000 SuperControl. The
cost of this upgrade varies depending on the
control and drives currently on the machine. Attractive packages are available for many of the
older systems. You will need to contact
Thermwood directly to determine the possibility
and cost of a control upgrade on your machine.
It is not cost effective to try and upgrade the
very old stepping motor machines. In this case
it will cost less to simply sell your old machine
and purchase a new system. The overall performance improvements should more than pay for
the increased investment.
No. The high speed multiprocessing required to run
the Probe is not currently
available from commercial
controls. Also, the systems
software required for the
probe is resident in the
control, and Thermwood
has applied for patents on
the creation of 5 axis programs with a Probe and is
not inclined to provide this
capability to its competitors.
The only way is to have your machine retrofitted
to a Thermwood 91000 SuperControl.
Thermwood Technical Services is willing to perform this type of retrofit at a substantially lower
cost than purchasing a new machine. With the
retrofit you also will receive a license to use the
technology under any patents issued to
Thermwood for the Probe. Again, contact
Thermwood for more information.
Will a Probe generated program
run on a different type of
5 axis machine?
Probably not. For the program to work properly,
the mechanical configuration of the Thermwood
head on which the program was generated and
the head, on which it is to be run, must be the
same. Also, program execution requires real
time five axis tool length compensation which
is a feature not normally available on lower cost
commercial five axis controls.
Does the Probe system replace
the Thermwood Hand Held
Programmer?
Not normally. The Probe is designed to work
seamlessly with the Hand Held Programmer.
The Probe does some things extremely well, the
Hand Held Programmer does others very well.
Together, they offer what we think is the fastest,
easiest and most efficient five axis programming
system in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
?
?
Can I run the Probe on
other machines?
How do I use the Probe with
my existing Machine?
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Specifications
Specifications
The Thermwood Probe System including
Renishaw three axis
probe, an integrated
Thermwood two axis
rotary head control, 6
probe tips, interface
wiring, mounting hardware and probe software.............. $24,500
Profile
Thermwood Corporation has been
building CNC routers longer than anyone else. It was the
first company to offer a CNC router to
the industr y and
much of today’s
CNC router technology originated at
Thermwood. Today
Thermwood is one
of the most successful companies in the
history of this market. Thermwood's Corporate
Headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Southern Indiana. When you deal with
Thermwood you are dealing with the technology
and business leader in this industry. To learn
more about current happenings at Thermwood
visit our Web Site at www.thermwood.com or
e-mail;[email protected].
Thermwood Probe System
No. of axes Controlled
Probe Tip
Head Control
Programming Speed
(Proportional to force applied to Probe
inputs)
Control Requirements
Thermwood 91000 SuperControl
(Software Version 3.12 or Higher)
Head Compatibility
• 3 Axis
Mounts to side of spindle
• Model 40 Carving Router
Mounts to side of head
• 5 Axis
Columbo 8HP w/draw bar
Columbo 7.5HP Dual End
Perske 7HP
Perske 7.5HP Dual End
Programming Modes
• Point
Machine executes linear motions
between entered points
• Path
Machine repeats exact path traced
during programming
• Surface
Auto scanning of a surface in three axes
Mode Indicator
Mixed Mode Programming
Point and Path Mode
Hand Held Programmer Input
Compensate for Probe Tip Weight
Tip Weight Table Positions
8
3
2
Varies
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
LED on Probe
Yes
Point Mode Only
Probe Tip Weight
sequence Measures
the effect of the Tip
Weight on Probe and
stores this in a Tip
Weight Table.
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thermwood
First in CNC Routers
Thermwood Corporation,
PO Box 436, Dale, IN 47523,
800 533-6901, 812 937-4476, 812 937-2956 Fax
www.thermwood.com