Rent-a-Program

This section of the web site addresses a unique program available only from Thermwood. We have developed, and are continually expanding, a library of CNC programs used to produce wood carvings using a three-axis Thermwood CNC router. Certain three-dimensional parts such as posts, legs and finials require an optional Rotary Playback Axis. These programs can be downloaded from this site, copied into a Thermwood CNC control and executed.

There is a small rental fee due each time a program is executed. These fees vary with the part and pay for the program. On certain parts, this fee is shared with the owner or creator of the design and in these cases, they determine the rental fee.

First, there is a setup-instruction sheet in PDF format that explains how to set up and run the program. This can be freely downloaded from this site by any eCabinet Systems Member using their membership number and zip code.
There is an HSF file, which can be loaded into eCabinet Systems and used as part of the design process. This also can be downloaded by any eCabinet Systems Member.
Finally, there is the actual CNC file. This can be downloaded without cost, provided the person downloading it has set up an account with Thermwood against which any rental fees will be charged. You must be a Thermwood machine user to set up a part rental account and your Thermwood control must have Internet access to participate in program rental. The account must be set up through the control itself, although once set up, files can be downloaded either through the control or using an independent PC. The name and password associated with this account is used to download the CNC file.

Existing Thermwood controls built before this program must be upgraded to add features needed to decode and run the rental programs. The effort and cost, if any, required for this upgrade depends on several factors. You will need to request an evaluation of your system by calling us at 1-800-221-3865 (Ext. 251) or clicking here and completing a request.

New controls are automatically equipped with the features needed for program rental.

If you download the CNC file using an independent PC, it should be copied directly into the Thermwood control where a utility extracts and stores various files included in the download. The programs can then be run, provided you have rental credits in your account sufficient to cover the rental fee.

You may purchase rental credits in any dollar quantity through your account either using an office computer or directly through the control. If you purchase credits using an independent PC, you will be issued a credit code that must be entered into your control. At this point, the control keeps track of usage and allows you to run rental programs as long as a credit balance remains.

You may transfer credit balances between controls by requesting a transfer. Your control will issue a code that you can type into another Thermwood control provided it has also been configured for program rental. This transfers existing credits to the new control. Each control communicates with Thermwood during these transfers to keep balances accurate.

When you first set up an account, a $25 credit is added to your account. This amount is intended to allow you to experiment with the programs and learn without having to pay rental fees during this learning process. This is limited to one credit per customer regardless of the number of machines owned. If a single customer has more than one facility with a machine, each independent facility will be issued its own credit.

Once the carving program has been loaded into the control, it can be scaled up or down on each axis independently. Scaling is specified as a percentage of the original size on each axis, so a 6” part scaled 150% becomes a 9” part. A 6” part scaled 50% becomes a 3” part.

The rental fee charge occurs about half way through the program with the specific charge point that is dependent on the design of the part. We try to make this a point at which any hidden flaws in the wood material have been exposed. If the program is stopped before this point, it can be restarted without addition cost. Once this point is reached, you must pay the rental fee again in order to rerun the program. You can stop program execution, to change a broken tool for example, and then back up the program and restart it without cost.

For more detail about the transactions at the machine control, please click HERE.