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Thermwood launches 3D additive systems for composite parts

21 Sep '16

2 min read

Thermwood Corporation, advanced manufacturer of high technology machine tools called CNC routers, has launched a new line of 3D additive manufacturing systems with a new machine LSAM (Large Scale Additive Manufacturing) that uses a two-step, near-net-shape production process, for the production of large to very large reinforced thermoplastic composite parts.

Firstly, the composite is 3D printed, layer by layer, to slightly larger than the final size and then machined to its exact final size and shape using a CNC router. The process operates in free space and does not require moulds or tooling.

The LSAM is targeted for the production of tooling, masters, moulds, fixtures, patterns, and plugs for a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, boating, foundry, and thermoforming. For tooling, the primary benefits of this approach are a substantially lower cost and a dramatically shorter build cycle.

The LSAM is based on the Thermwood Model 77 high wall, overhead gantry CNC router that features a ten foot wide, five foot high work envelope. LSAM systems include both a print gantry and a five axis trim gantry. Both gantries operate over the entire table surface. With this configuration, all functions needed to make parts are performed on the same machine.

LSAM's print gantry features an advanced, Thermwood-developed, vertically-mounted PH Series print head that melts and precisely meters the polymer bead. It can process filled thermoplastic composite materials at temperatures up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. LSAM uses a bead compression wheel to shape and flatten the extruded bead and fuse it with existing layers. This wheel is servo-controlled to automatically follow machine motion.

Each gantry has its own, free standing Thermwood, high-performance QCore CNC Control for movement. The print gantry also includes an integrated print head control to manage melt, pressure, and metering functions. Special controls have been developed to operate the servo drive print head and bead compression wheel. These functions automatically perform tasks that would otherwise need to be incorporated in the CNC print program. This simplifies 3D print programming. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India