Major Advance in Additive Print Technology

Thermwood has unveiled a new LSAM additive print technical capability that ensures complete fusion between large scale thermoplastic printed layers plus, for the first time, makes print temperature control completely automatic.

Thermwood’s LSAM additive manufacturing systems are already producing almost perfectly fused large scale thermoplastic composite structures in multiple industry applications today. To a large extent this is because of a patented feature called “Layer Time Control”. With a newly announced development, it is now even better and easier.

This new system not only attains but precisely maintains the ideal print temperature for each polymer automatically. Called “Thermal Sensor Layer Automation”, it continuously measures the temperature of a printed layer just before a new bead is added. This allows the machine to automatically adjust the feed speed, using “Layer Time Control”, to print at, or very close to, the perfect temperature needed to achieve the best possible layer to layer fusion.

The new process uses a non-contact temperature sensor which rotate about the print nozzle under servo control and continuously measures the temperature of the existing layer less than a half inch in front of the moving print nozzle. This provides precise feedback of the temperature at the moment of layer fusion; insuring integrity of the bond being generated at every point on every layer.

Data from the probe is processed through an advanced algorithm which adjusts the speed at which each layer is printed. Print speed is no longer defined in the print CNC program but instead, it is continuously adjusted by the LSAM control system itself during printing, in response to changes in the print environment. This is important because there is no way to know exactly what the print environment will be when you are creating a program or whether that environment will change during the sometimes-lengthy print process, leaving the operator responsible for achieving and continuously maintaining print temperature.

With Thermwood’s new system, optimum print temperature is now part of the parameters stored in the control for each polymer and is determined when the polymer is first qualified. To run a specific material using a properly equipped LSAM, it is only necessary to load a part program, specify the material and turn it on. The entire build process, including all temperature control, is then pretty well automatic.

This system achieves much tighter control of the basic print process than is currently possible and best of all, it is totally automatic, not requiring input or adjustment by the machine operator. Existing LSAM customers can upgrade their current systems to the new Thermal Sensor Layer Automation System in the field. Please contact Thermwood’s Retrofit department for details.

To learn more about the new system read the complete article on www.plasticsmag.com, click on “Major Advance in Additive Print Technology.”

Thermwood is a U.S. based, multinational, diversified machinery manufacturer that has become the technology leader in large scale additive manufacturing of thermoplastic composite molds, tooling, patterns and parts with its line of LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) machines that both 3D print and trim on the same machine. These are some of the largest and most capable additive manufacturing systems ever produced and are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries as well as military, government and defense contractors.

Thermwood is also the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible, 3- and 5-axis high-speed CNC routers.

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.