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New Technology Expands the Role of Nested Based

Ask a cabinetmaker about nested based manufacturing and he instinctively thinks of machining cabinet boxes on a CNC router. Today, however, new technology has made nested based much more capable.

For example, with the release of Version 5 of a software package called eCabinet Systems, drawer boxes can now be designed and machined along with cabinet boxes. While this doesn’t sound too revolutionary, the fact that they can be dovetail drawer boxes and that they can EH FRPSOHWHO\ PDFKLQHG LQ WKH ÀDW LQ the nest, is special.

library of CNC carving programs that can be rented through the control for a couple dollars a part.

Now cabinets can look more like expensive furniture which is opening even more opportunities. Several leading furniture designers have joined eCabinet Systems and are making world class furniture designs available to Members. CNC programs to make complex moldings and carvings have been developed and can be rented through the CNC control just like the carving library. Rental

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Valspar, the world’s leading supplier RI IXUQLWXUH ¿QLVKHV KDV MRLQHG WKH SUR- JUDP DQG LV RIIHULQJ VSHFL¿F ¿QLVKHV WR 0HPEHUV 7KHVH VWHS ¿QLVKHV DUH typical of high-end furniture but, in addition to furniture lacquer, they are also offered in pre-catalyzed lacquer. This material, called “pre-cat”, cures through a chemical reaction making it suitable for kitchen and bath use. Now, not only

can you reproduce a high-end furniture look but it can be used for cabinets as well as furniture.

Nested based manufacturing has progressed well beyond just cabinet boxes. Today it means dovetail drawer boxes, PRGHOHG 0') GRRUV FXVWRP SUR¿OHV without custom tooling, three dimensional carvings and designer furniture. Nested based is not just making current business more productive, it is also opening new business opportunities as the technology behind it continues to expand.

eCabinet Systems is a program established by Thermwood, a leading manufacturer of CNC routers. It is unique because the software is free to professional cabinetmakers when they join. In addition to free software, they can purchase from major industry vendors at discount prices. These voluntary purchases pay for software development. There are over 19,000 members of the eCabinet Systems cooperative.

Because Thermwood develops both the cabinet design software and CNC control software for its machines, they are able to do things to better integrate design and manufacturing. For example, Version 5 supports design and manufacture of nested MDF doors. These can be machined in the traditional manner using typical MDF door tooling. In addition, the software can create a door that looks MXVW OLNH D ¿YH SLHFH GRRU ZLWK D GLI- IHUHQ W SUR¿OH RQ WKH EHDG DQG UDLVH DQG square inside corners and this can’t be machined with typical MDF door tools. When Thermwood’s control encounters WKLV W\SH RI SUR¿OH LW DXWRPDWLFDOO\ GH- velops a modeling program using a ball QRVH DQG ÀDW ERWWRP ELW WR PDFKLQH WKH SUR¿OH

This same capability can be used to machine a molding, curved molding or any SUR¿OH IRU WKDW PDWWHU ZLWKRXW FXVWRP tooling. It takes longer to machine, but if you only need one or two pieces you can model them in less time than it takes to set up a molder. This technology is especially valuable for shops that build a wide variety of custom products.

Further expanding this idea, you can machine carvings right into cabinet parts. Again, the real work is done by the CNC control so it is possible to change the size of the carving right at the machine. To make this practical, Thermwood has established and continues to expand a

Dovetail Drawers... MDF Doors... and more

With Thermwood and eCabinet Systems, nested based means more than cabinet boxes.

eCabinet Systems, Version 5 software also means nested drawer boxes, with a choice of joints including dovetail. These are machined right along with cabinet boxes... same system.

It means nested MDF doors. Not just run-of-the-mill MDF GRRUV EXW DOVR TXDOLW\ PRGHOHG GRRUV WKDW ORRN MXVW OLNH ¿YH piece doors. Design them in the software, send them to the machine and cut them...same system.

It means carvings on doors and cabinets. An entire library to exploit. Applied carvings.. inset carvings. Resize them as you want right in the software. Customize your design, send it to the machine and carve it...same system.

It means furniture designed by leading professional furniture designers. Customize it in the software, output it to the machine and make it...same system.

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Why settle for just boxes when you can have it all with Thermwood.

P.S. Start today, eCabinet Systems software is free to cabinetmakers. Check it out on our web site www.eCabinetSystems.com.

P.P.S. If you have an older Thermwood, we can make all this work on your system, give us a call.

www.thermwood.com

P.O. Box 436, Dale, IN 47523, 800-533-6901 Fax 812-937-2956