Just watched the video on Therwood's Cut Center, looks like a great device for the kitchen makers. I like the integration of input and machine. Now I'd like to see something similar for us in the store fixture business.
From contributor Ev
It's a nifty machine. I prefer to know what my machine is doing and why, but for someone without CNC experience this will open a lot of doors. That machine ain't gonna be cheap, and compared to the light-duty machines you can get now for under $30k, it might be a tough sell.
If it gives the local shops a leg-up on the big-box cabinets, then it's good for all of us.
From contributor La
The Cut Center seems like a natural extension of Thermwood's e-cabinets software system. Their machines are miles better than the $30K stuff. It's been 10 years since I last worked on some of the cheapy routers. They had cut every conceivable corner to get the price down. But for the guy that was only going to cut 20 sheets a week they offered a workable solution. On a total cost of ownership I suspect they actually cost more per sheet than the machines we run.
From contributor Gr
Just received a quote for The Thermwood Cut Center.
Are you sitting down??
Its $159,900.
Way too much $$
From contributor Ev
Yeah, I had a feeling it was big bucks, but that is some real money.
I'm very curious about the market analysis they used to develop this machine. Are there shops who think they can just plug this thing in and crank out cabinets? For that kind of cash, they better have a big sales machine in front of it.
On the other hand, I get it. With the cost of labor, I want as much automation as I can get.
From contributor R
As a semi skilled cabinet shop owner, the Cut Center is a solution to a multitude of issues. A good cabinet maker can run circles around my speed.
If the cutcenter does everything I think it can do, its a very good (not gonna say Master) cabinet maker in a box.
I have to pay it $30k/year for seven years. It works the first three months for free! No kid issues, no workman's comp, no raises, no attitude, no greed, no hangovers, no sick leave, no company car......to name a few.
I am seriously considering one because I am done working with, and being at the mercy of "Artistes".
My humble $.02.
From contributor La
Just back from IWF. Had a good show. Took a look @ the Cut Center. Well thought out machine that seems well suited to the small cabinet shop. Yes, the price seems a bit high but you are getting a complete package for kitchen cabinet production, Software included. Thermwood builds a good machine & has good customer support. It looks like it met their design goals for the target buyer. The man in their booth said they plan on adding more features to the software as they go along.
I went also looking for a router. There were lots of them there. All the way from toys to 3 shift a day monsters.
My goal was to find a decent mid range router, 5x12', C-axis, @ least 12 tool spots, and a minimum of 15 vertical drill spindles. I'd also like an auto load unload but have to figure out if we can squeeze one in the shop. They take a space about 40' long. I want to be able to run 60 sheets per shift.
I found several that could meet those specs w/o breaking the bank. There were also some late comers to the party with short track records offering machines for quite a bit less $, unknown value.
I looked @ a Larick 5 head brush sander that I'm going to give a try. I know they won't take chips and chatter out but all I want it to do is prepare the surface for finishing. Take any shoe rub marks off and give an overall uniform scratch pattern. When the molding is run the sander will be attached to the outfeed so no additional labor. Then move it to the finishing booth to lightly sand the washcoat and then the seal coat after staining. Buying an extra set of heads so change from molder to finishing is quick. All 5 heads have inverter drives as does the feed. Also had a good conversation with the abrasive head supplier. Got a good publication from him on recommendations for abrasive choices and speeds and he went over them with me explaining the whys. He also had heads for use on the router after doing MDF carving.
Got to talk to some knowledgeable people about air compressors and they have changed my mind about what I'm going to buy.
Took along my best CAD man and he spent most of his time looking @ software. Found some promising candidates.
End result: well worth the trip in knowledge gained
From contributor Gr
So has anyone actually bought a Thermwood Cut center? I asked my salesman and he couldnt give me anyone to talk to.
If it was 110-120, I'd already have one. $160 is over the top expensive for something that won't talk to my design program.
From contributor Do
The Cut Center is impressive from the savings in personnel problems. Add to that the savings in waste, design time and increased production. As so aptly put above "no hangovers......"
From contributor Ph
I've been a cabinet maker all my life and just about 3 years ago I've started with cnc machines. I bought Mozaik and love it. ($125 a month) There isn't a project where I don't modify cabinet construction in the software. I understand not wanting to learn the software but once learned it opens up a lot of doors. I also learned Aspire to make signs, 3D carvings, shop jigs, etc. $150k in my opinion is insane! I run a cheap Laguna and crank out a lot of cabinets with this machine. I even run the cabineo connectors on that now an love it. My buddy owns an Omnitech at $60k and that thing is a horse! Prob my next machine. He uses cabinet vision and aspire as well.
From contributor La
Phil: "There isn't a project where I don't modify cabinet construction in the software."
That seems like wasting time?? Once your library is setup, it should be taking the input sizes (parametric) (from a spread sheet) and turning out complete, nested code. Even radius work can be done the same way. The Laguna is probably fine for light use, not designed for serious production, not it's target audience. The Omnitech machines are pretty well made. I have a friend with one that has over 6,000 hours on it and is starting to show signs of needing a few parts. My first router was and Andi (20+ yr ago). Well made for the price, ($85K then) similar to the Omnitechs but with Fanuc controls & ball screws on all axis. As a machine ages, support from the importer becomes more important.
