Thermwood presents low-cost LSAM Additive Systems

Thermwood Corp. (Dale, Ind., U.S.) announces the availability of a new line of lower cost “print only” large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) systems, called LSAM Additive Printers. Built around a 30-mm LSAM print head, this new line still retains all features and print quality known to the company’s large flagship LSAM systems. Thermwood says the new system targets companies that want to print top-quality, large composite thermoplastic parts without the high cost, or those that already have sufficient trimming capabilities and may only need a quality print function. Applications include industrial fixtures, molds (including high-temperature molds), tooling, foundry patterns, and a range of other applications.

To handle this refined print head size, Thermwood says its five-axis CNC routers gantry structure was re-engineered with the “slot and tab” structural steel approach used on flagship LSAM machines. Although smaller than the flagship systems, the company notes that its 30-mm print head can still print up to 100 Ibs/hour. It is capable of producing large parts at temperatures up to 450°C, with overall size limited primarily by the table size and working envelope. The LSAM Additive Printers are all fixed gantry, moving table designs.

Table sizes 5’x 5’ and 5’ x 10’  are offered and are capable of printing parts up to 4’ high. The 5’ x 10’ machines are available in two styles: 5’ wide with 10’ of front-to-back motion, or 10’ wide with 5’ of front-to-back motion. Maximum table print weight is 1,000 pounds. However, the 10’ wide x 5’ deep machine is available with a dual servo drive, doubling the weight-carrying capability. Thermwood says it plans to equip the 5’ wide x 10’ deep version with a Vertical Layer Printing option, which will enable it to vertically print parts up to 10 ft tall.

For trimming printed parts, Thermwood recommends the LSAM Additive Trimmer, which is available in the same table sizes as the LSAM Additive Printers. It is available with up to 5’ of vertical travel, enabling it to trim completely around and over the top of the largest part the LSAM Additive Printer can print. As an added benefit, users with both an LSAM Additive Printer and an LSAM Additive Trimmer can print and trim simultaneously.

The company notes that, while this requires the purchase of two machines, the combined cost of both is just over a third of the cost of an LSAM 1020, which is currently the smallest flagship LSAM system that can both print and trim simultaneously.

The LSAM Additive Printer offers an additional system for drying and conveying pelletized polymer material, a liquid chilling system to maintain temperature control and the LSAM Print 3D slicing software. The machine comes standard with a single hopper material dryer. Optional features for an enclosure that surrounds the machine (which can be built to meet European CE standards) or a dual hopper dryer are available. Thermwood’s Sensor Layer Automation System feature can also be made available.