Machinery & Tooling Spotlight

Thermwood Connects with Customers
With IWF cancelled for 2020 - Thermwood has put new plans into place to connect with their customers who won't get to see them live in Atlanta. They are currently working to produce a series of Info Spot videos featuring their Cut Ready Cut Center, 3-axis and 5-axis CNC routers and LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing Systems) that highlight the capabilities of each, in addition to giving tips and tricks to help with tooling and fixturing.

The Thermwood team is always available to consult in the form of web demos/videos and time studies. They are also ready to welcome customers to their Dale, Indiana, headquarters for in-person demonstrations, or use the web to stream live demonstrations if preferred.

At IWF, they had planned to demonstrate three of their machines. Their Cut Ready Cut Center allows users to make virtually anything a cabinet shop would want to make, with no programming required. Their heavy-duty Model 45 (composites, plastics, nested base, aluminum, nonferrous metal and wood) and the high performance Model 43.

Their first round of videos, or Info Spots, will feature the Cut Center, and will walk viewers through everything from understanding the differences between the Cut Center and a regular CNC router, to operating the machine and selecting and cutting out cabinets. Look for the videos soon on their website.

For more information, contact Duane Marrett, Thermwood Corporation, 904 Buffaloville Rd., Dale, IN 47523, 800-533-6901, E-mail: duane.marrett@thermwood.com. Web: www.thermwood.com.

Trimming Machines
GEISS, a worldwide leader in technology, quality and performance, manufactures trimming machines that can be exactly adapted to meet your specific requirements.

Depending on requirements, the GEISS trimming machines are available in any nominal size and different versions. The smallest machine size provides the same productivity and rigidity as the larger ones. The nominal size is equal to the block size trimmed with 5-axis in all machines. The machine size 2000 x 1000 mm is the most built standard size.

GEISS customers can be assured that all programs are interchangeable and compatible to enable transfer to newer control systems among all machine sizes.

Areas of application include: thermoplastics; glass and carbon fiber-reinforced composites; compression molded parts of GMT and SMC; molded parts of foam; honeycomb lightweight materials; pattern making foams in tool making and prototyping.

For more information, contact Michael J. Roche, Geiss LLC, 42 Ozick Drive, Unit 6, Durham, CT 06422, 203-988-9426, E-mail: michael.roche@geissllc.com, Web: www.geiss-ttt.com.

Tailored Router Solutions
AXYZ Routers offers a range of innovative, industrial CNC router equipment to meet almost any application requirement. Without compromising on quality, AXYZ products are highly productive, superior in cut quality, and affordable. Focusing on innovative, customization and exceptional service, AXYZ has a CNC machine for any project.

The Infinite is the most tailorable router, available in all sizes. It is suitable for one-off, small batch production as well as high volume and high productivity applications.

The Pacer Series is a powerful, heavy-duty router option, aimed at plastic/ metal fabricators and aerospace applications that require extremely high tolerances.

The Trident CNC Knife Hybrid offers lightning fast knife cutting and overwhelming routing capabilities to take on broader projects. This router is extremely popular with signmaking, print finishing applications and foam packaging.

The PANELBuilder is a hugely popular router in aluminum composite and metal composite cladding, with its very own powerful software package.

Their Z Series is the go-to router for the budget conscious or first-time user. Ideal for school settings or hobbyist.

For more information, contact Greg Jenkins, AXYZ Automation, Inc., 5330 South Service Road, Burlington, ON, L7L 5L1, Canada, 800-361-3408/905-634-4940, Fax: 905-634-4966, E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com, Web: www.axyz.com.

Powerful Panel Saw
Stiles Machinery proudly provides the HOMAG HPP 400 P (U.S. Edition) Panel Saw to the plastics industry. This powerful and versatile machine combines state-of-the-art technology with innovative German engineering for the ultimate in power and precision. With advanced standard features and a wide variety of highly customizable options, HOMAG’s HPP 400 P is designed to meet all of your unique production needs.

The machine’s main saw motor features variable RPM speed control for high-quality performance, while its reverse cutting capabilities enable processing of thin plastic sheets without the risk of damaging delicate materials.

Featuring a central side pressure device integrated into saw carriage that works from below the machine bed, the HPP 400 P is able to achieve precise alignment of thin sheets as well as full stacks of dense material. This machine also comes standard with air tables at the front of the saw and a complete air bed with dustEx at the cut line for effortless material handling and superior chip collection.

HOMAG’s HPP 400 P U.S. Edition features HOMAG’s easy-to-use CADMatic operating software and power- Touch control system for intuitive machine control and operation. Moving graphics on the controller walk the operator through even the most complex cutting operations with ease.

For more information, contact David Mays, Stiles Machinery, 3965 44th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, 616-698-7500, E-mail: dmays@stilesmachinery.com, Web: www.stilesmachinery.com.

Vertical Panel Saw
Colonial Saw, Inc., U.S. distributor of market-leading Striebig vertical panel saws, recently announced a new model to the U.S. market. The new Striebig Standard S model adds another level to their universal vertical sawing technology with integrated new elements and retained proven benefits. Chief among them, the Standard S will incorporate scoring as a standard feature and sport a sleek new operator control panel.

“Striebig has offered the industry workhorse Standard model for decades, delivering value and durability,” said David Bull, Colonial Saw Striebig product manager. “Now with true split-blade scoring included, the enhanced Standard S will help operators achieve a clean cut on both sides and extended main blade life.”

The saw unit and control box of the Standard S deliver both functionality and ergonomics through a new comfort premium package that incorporates four popular features straight from the factory: automatic pneumatic locking support rollers; Y-axis digital measuring system; pneumatic saw head locking with motorized fine adjustment to within 0.005” of inch; and laser light horizontal cut indicator. There are more than 20 additional options and accessories such as a wooden support wall and Xaxis digital measuring system.

“We’re very excited about this new opportunity,” Bull added. “It builds on Striebig’s six decades of sawing technology and delivers the perfect edges and precise dimensions that users have come to expect of every Striebig saw.”

For more information, contact David Bull, Colonial Saw, Inc., P.O. Box A, Kingston, MA 02364, 781-585-4364 x204, E-mail: dbull@csaw.com, Web: www.csaw.com.

Increase Flexibility & Productivity
SCM North America is proud to introduce the Morbidelli X200 CNC Router, a new generation of SCM CNC Machining Center designed to increase flexibility and productivity when machining plastics and other advanced materials. The X200 includes a number of new technologies focused on improved edge finish and faster processing of parts.

Their exclusive, new “dynamic vacuum” moves with the router head and focuses full vacuum on the area being machined providing unparalleled stability for faster cutting speeds and smaller hard to hold parts. Their new, exclusive safety guards provide superior protection for employees without fences or photo cells that restrict full access to the table. A CNC managed dust shroud provides exceptional chip collection and cleaner machined parts. The dual working zones allows “pendulum machining” for continuous machining without having to stop the router to remove machined parts. A precision engineered heavy duty base and moving gantry with dual drive motors provide rapid movement and maximum stability. And the unit comes equipped with a powerful 19HP HSK 63 Electrospindle with on board tool changer.

For more information, contact Phil Bryant, SCM North America, 2475 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096, 404-759-3534, E-mail: pbryant@scmgroup.com, Web: www.scmgroup.com.

Tooling for Softer Plastics
The new Series 9900 Double Edge “O” Flute Upcut Spiral tooling from Vortex Tool Company is ideal for increased finishes on softer plastics such as HDPE, ABS, UHMW, solid surface, polycarbonate and similar materials. With improved geometry including a slightly higher helix, the Series 9900 has better chip evacuation in thicker materials and the polished flute reduces drag allowing for a deeper depth per pass. Seven sizes are available to meet a wide range of routing applications.

American owned and operated, Vortex Tool Company, Inc., designs and manufactures a wide variety of standard and custom high-performance router and insert cutting tools for the woodworking and plastics industries, and provides re-tipping and sharpening services.

For more information, contact Lucas Molepske, Vortex Tool Company, 5605 East Jelinek Avenue, Schofield, WI 54476, 800-355-7708/715-355-7707, Fax: 715-355-7353, E-mail: lucas@vortextool.com, Web: www.vortextool.com.

Cutting & Milling Tools
Hufschmied offers a range of tooling specifically designed for milling plastics. With plastic materials it is crucial to keep the milling temperature as low as possible. This can be achieved with tools from their Universal- Line and Sharp-Line. Depending on your requirements and your machinery, the solution to your processing problem offers you a choice of one, two or three-flute cutters.

Hufschmied tools are designed to minimize burr formation and provide a quality edge finish at high feed rates minimizing secondary operations. When it comes to cutting thermoset the avoidance of burr formation is critical to a high-quality edge finish. Their Universal-Line and Proto-Line are well suited for this category of materials. For the processing of PMMA, cast or extruded, the Frasen Per Plex product range of single-fluted milling cutters produce a mirror-like surface finish without the need for additional polishing tools or any other polishing action. When working acrylics, milling cutters and drills need to produce sharply defined cutting edges. For this approach, Hufschmied supplies the FPE tool system with a single-step roughing and finishing cycle producing these very sharply defined edges. For polycarbonate and PET their Sharp-Line will provide a sooth finish with long tool life.

For more information, contact Steve Holbrook, Hufschmied USA, 42 Ozick Drive, Unit 6, Durham CT 06422, 419-341-6337, E-mail: sales@hufschmiedusa.com, Web: www.hufschmied.net.

No-Melt Blades
Modified triple-chip grind tooth style and specially engineered side clearances make Forrest Manufacturing's carbide tipped No-Melt blades the perfect choice for cutting single or multiple stacked sheets of plastic without chipping or melting.

The No-Melt blade is just one of the many award-winning general-, special- and custom-purpose blades and dados offered by Forrest Manufacturing, a family-owned business for more than 50 years. All Forrest blades are manufactured in the U.S. to exacting standards, using proprietary grinding techniques and hand straightening. The result is exceptional perimeter concentricity, an astonishing +/- .001” side runout and super fine tooth grind for smooth, quiet and precise cuts.

The No-Melt blade is no exception. Its numerous teeth allow fast feeding of brittle acrylics. Super-hard C-4 micro grain carbide tips ensure 50 to 300 percent longer life between sharpenings. The No-Melt blade is available in 7” to 20” diameters with 60 to 120 teeth. It is particularly appropriate for cutting acrylics, Delrins®, ABS, styrenes, PVC, and high- and low-melt nylons. Forrest blades come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Factory sharpening services for all make of carbide tipped circular blades are also available.

Forrest also offers their Duraline available in different tooth styles to meet different needs. The TCG for plastic cuts smoother than No-Melt due to narrower clearance angles. Use #11 TCG to prevent chipping edge of acrylic sheet. Also keep blade height low if on table saw. Made with double-hard C-4 Submicron Carbide for longer life between sharpenings.

For more information, contact Jay Forrest, Forrest Manufacturing Company, 457 River Road, Clifton, NJ 07014, 800-733-7111, Web: www.forrestblades.com.