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MDF Door options

11/12/14       
Dropout Member

Hi All

I want to start making MDF cabinet doors. I have a Biesse Arrow and a Thermwood C45.

Both machines are flat table 5X10 and have tool changers, although the Arrow is a tad faster.

Which machine would be better and more importantly, what software should I be looking at?

11/13/14       #2: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Hello Mr. Dropout,

Since both machines are of similar speeds and specifications, I would check to see which company offers the best technical support. If you decide upon the Biesse, does it come with Biesseworks? If so, then virtually all programs will write to it. If the Biesse requires raw g-code, it is much more complicated than the g-code required by Thermwood. This would give you problems in finding compatible software. So if the Biesse required raw Biesse g-code, I would go with the Thermwood simply because its g-code is MUCH more standard.
Concerning software, Cabinet Pro CNC supports both of those machines very well for both MDF doors as well as cabinet parts. (We also support both Biesseworks and the more complicated raw Biesse g-code.)

11/14/14       #3: MDF Door options ...
Brad

Hey Dropout...

Are these MDF doors for you own use in your kitchens or are you looking at becoming a MDF door supplier to others - needing to produce large quantities?

Have you checked with both companies to see what they may offer or recommend as far as MDF door production software.

11/14/14       #4: MDF Door options ...
Dropout Member

I have not spoken to either Thermwood or Biesse.

My experience is that users are the best source of information.

Both machines can take G-code and have spare run time, so either is good.

Thanks

11/14/14       #5: MDF Door options ...
Kerry Fullington

Website: http://www.hightechcabinets.com

Dropout,

For your Thermwood I would recommend Panelmetrix available through CNC Automation.

Panelmetrix

11/14/14       #6: MDF Door options ...
Kenny Belfatto

Website: http://www.cim-tech.com

Router-CIM comes with over 40 different parametric MDF door macros and you can make your own styles as well. it's easy to use and imports from Excel spread sheets. I'd be glad to demonstrate the software to you and can give you advanced nest results from your own Excel spread sheet of door sizes and quantity.

CIM-Tech's Router-CIM software

11/14/14       #7: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Brad,
Be careful of recommendations from machine companies. It is very common for a machine company to receive 20-40 percent commission from the software company they recommend.....so there might be a conflict of interests involved.

A couple of years ago a CNC machine company had 7 sales for us but wanted 40% commission on each sale. When we declined, they informed us that 40% was the "industry standard". But we still declined to pay because we thought it was a conflict of interests to give a recommendation and then get paid for it.

We didn't get the 7 sales, and they haven't recommended us since. :(

11/17/14       #8: MDF Door options ...
Scott Brandenburg

I have been selling machinery for 14 years to the woodworking industry. I have not made 1 penny off software sales during this time. I am not aware of any of my competition profiting off this either. I think Frank's comments could not be farther from the truth.

Regarding which machine is best. I am not familiar with the exact configuration of either machine. When i did a quick search on the model numbers i found many variations. I would estimate cutting speeds are similar, but the difference in doors will be tool change time.

I don't have much experience with thermwood but if your Biesse has Biesseworks there are macros built and ready for doors. Their customer support team will take your call and not require a credit card to talk to them. I would suggest you give them a call and check with them.

Using this forum for information is good, but don't limit yourself.

11/17/14       #9: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Please accept my apologies Scott. This was my experience from about 7 years ago involving our software and that of our competition's. But apparently I am wrong in the current market strategies. Again, please accept my apologies for giving an opinion that is now out of date.

11/17/14       #10: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Out of curiosity Scott, what machinery company do you work for? It is very good to hear what you said in your post. (And by the way, it was about 2 years ago, not 7.)

11/17/14       #11: MDF Door options ...
Dropout Member

Apparently Biesseworks won't work on my machine because it has an OSAI control.

G code only.

11/17/14       #12: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Hey Dropout,

I have 3 questions for you:

1. You were thinking about purchasing either the Biesse or the Thermwood. Did you go ahead and purchase the Biesse?

2. We have 2 posts for the OSAI controller, one for Onsrud and one for Techno. If you have some samples of the code you expect, it would not be much of a task to alter either of those posts for your Biesse. Have you selected a software package yet?

3. I hope this is not insulting, because it is certainly not meant to be. But how in the world did you select a screenname like, "Dropout"? (smile)

11/17/14       #13: MDF Door options ...
Dropout Member

Hi Frank.

I already have both machines.

I have not decided on software yet.

I didn't finish high school.

Dropout

11/17/14       #14: MDF Door options ...
Frank D. Jimenez  Member

Website: http://www.cabinetpro.com

Hey Dropout,

You're funny. Actually, I dropped out of high school myself 6 weeks before graduation to go into the Army, and then went on to college 3 years later when I got out.

You've got to be pretty impressive to own two CNC routers though. I think I'll start referring to you as "the Impressive One" instead. LOL.

Cabinet Pro CNC can handle both of your routers sending some parts to one and other parts to the other, so let me know if you'd like an online Test Drive of our software. If you call, (541) 664-2808, make sure you identify yourself as "the Impressive One." (smile)

2/3/15       #15: MDF Door options ...
Ned Lindstrom

Woodworking Automation Use both machines. 1000's of door stiles code to multiple machines. Can give you references.You will need Posts for each machine.


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