At the heart of the cutting shop are our two CNC machining centres. Although 5 Star still employs a manual cutting facility, the majority of cases are produced by CNC methods. The first CNC, or Computer Numerical Control system was installed at 5 Star in early 1993, but this machine was in the extrusion department. This machine, still in operation today, is a V notch sawing system used for notching aluminium extrusions. More of that later. 

However, it’s the two Thermwood Model 40’s that are really the heart of the cutting shop. The first Thermwood was installed in mid 1999 and followed by the second machine in 2005. Both systems feature 8’ x 4’ moving tables with high volume vacuum hold down. This allows full panel sheets to be held securely to the table while cutting takes place, without the need for any clamping devices. The panels are literally ‘sucked’ to the table. 

Each machine is equipped with Auto Tool Length sensor which is a simple device that allows the programmer to automatically measure the length of cutting tool. In effect, this is the length from the top of the machining table (sacrificial spoil-board) to the tip of the cutting tool. This is done by the operator at the console.

This is required after each manual tool change, for example installing a replacement cutter.   At the heart of the system is Supercontrol 91000, a PC based controller linked to high spec Siemens drives. This PC based control allows for easy maintenance and configuration.

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