Thermwood MTR Series
Image: thermwood.com, Thermwood
Key Specifications
Tool Capacity
Table Size
Spindle Power
axes
table type
spindle speed range
How much does the Thermwood MTR Series cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the Thermwood MTR Series that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.
Overview
The Thermwood MTR Series is a moving-gantry 3-axis CNC router for volume sheet production, offered with one fixed steel high flow table or with two of them set in line. Single tables are 5'x10' (1.5m x 3m), 7'x12' (2.1m x 3.6m) and 7'x20' (2.1m x 6m); the dual versions pair 5'x10' or 5'x12' tables. A 12 HP (8.9 kW) spindle at 3,000-24,000 RPM is standard.
On the dual machines the gantry travels from one table to the next, so an operator unloads and reloads the idle table while the other is being cut. Thermwood's Model 42 gets the same result by moving the tables under a fixed gantry. Here the tables stay still, which keeps vacuum plumbing simple and lets each one hold a full nest on a spoilboard.
A dual MTR is a long machine. Overall length is 176 in (4.5 m) with a single 5'x10' table, 334 in (8.5 m) with dual 5'x10' tables and 392 in (10 m) with dual 5'x12' tables, at 121 in (3.0 m) wide and 75 in (2.0 m) high. Plan the sheet flow before the floor layout: stock has to reach both tables and cut parts have to leave both.
The standard equipment is aimed at unattended running. Thermwood includes a large capacity bar style automatic tool changer and automatic tool length measurement, two items that are options on several of its other 3-axis models. An at-the-head tool changer with five tool holders can be added for the primary head and for an optional second head.
Beyond that the list is the familiar Thermwood one: an 18 HP (13.4 kW) spindle limited to 20,000 programmable RPM, a drill bank with nine vertical spindles on 32 mm centers for shelf-pin and hardware holes, aggregate tooling for horizontal work, and a 15 HP (11.2 kW) universal vacuum pump.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Axes | 3-Axis |
| Table Type | Fixed steel high flow table(s) with moving gantry; single or dual in-line table configurations |
| Table Size | 5'x10' (1.5m x 3m), 7'x12' (2.1m x 3.6m), 7'x20' (2.1m x 6m); dual 5'x10' (1.5m x 3m), dual 5'x12' (1.5m x 3.6m) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 12 HP (8.9 kW) |
| Spindle Speed Range | 3,000-24,000 RPM |
| Optional Spindle | 18 HP (13.4 kW), 3,000 to 20,000 programmable RPM, HSK F63 toolholders |
| Tool Capacity | Large capacity bar style automatic tool changer (at-the-head tool changer with five tool holders opt.) |
| Tool Measurement | Automatic tool length measurement |
| Vacuum Pump | 15 HP (11.2 kW) universal vacuum pump (opt.) |
| Rotary Playback Capacity | Stock 8 in (203 mm) in diameter and up to 56 in (1,422 mm) in length (opt.) |
| Drill Bank | Nine vertical spindles on 32 mm centers (opt.) |
| Machine Dimensions | Height 75 in (2.0 m), width 121 in (3.0 m), length 176 in (4.5 m) with 5'x10' table; length 334 in (8.5 m) with dual 5'x10' tables, 392 in (10 m) with dual 5'x12' tables (approximate) |
| Drives | Siemens intelligent servo drives throughout |
| CNC Control | Thermwood SuperControl |
Specifications sourced from thermwood.com — verified 2026-10-05
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Dual in-line fixed tables let one table be loaded while the gantry cuts on the other
- Large capacity bar style automatic tool changer and automatic tool length measurement are standard
- Wide single tables of 7'x12' (2.1m x 3.6m) and 7'x20' (2.1m x 6m) for oversize plastic and composite sheet
- Drill bank option with nine vertical spindles on 32 mm centers for cabinet hardware patterns
- Second head and at-the-head tool changer options for higher output
Limitations
- Dual-table machines are 334 in (8.5 m) or 392 in (10 m) long
- Thermwood does not state how many positions the large capacity tool changer has
- The optional 18 HP (13.4 kW) spindle tops out at 20,000 RPM, below the standard 24,000 RPM
- The 15 HP (11.2 kW) universal vacuum pump is an option
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Thermwood describes it as a complete high-volume 3-axis CNC routing system with single or dual in-line tables, suited to nested-based applications, composites and plastic sheet material. The tables are fixed steel high flow tables and the gantry moves over them.
02
The two tables sit in line and the gantry travels between them. While one sheet is being cut, the other table is free for unloading and reloading, which Thermwood says virtually eliminates downtime between cycles. Dual versions are listed with 5'x10' (1.5m x 3m) and 5'x12' (1.5m x 3.6m) tables.
03
Approximate figures from Thermwood: 75 in (2.0 m) high and 121 in (3.0 m) wide with 5 foot tables. Length is 176 in (4.5 m) with a single 5'x10' table, 334 in (8.5 m) with dual 5'x10' tables and 392 in (10 m) with dual 5'x12' tables. The brochure's metric figures for the 7 foot machines do not match its inch figures, so ask for a layout drawing for those.
04
A 12 HP (8.9 kW) HSD spindle running 3,000-24,000 RPM, with a large capacity bar style automatic tool changer and automatic tool length measurement as standard. An 18 HP (13.4 kW) spindle that runs 3,000 to 20,000 programmable RPM and accepts HSK F63 toolholders is the option.
05
No. Thermwood sells a CabinetShop MTR package for cabinets, closets and furniture, but the series is also listed for machining plastic sheets, non-ferrous metals, composites and solid surface. The 7'x12' and 7'x20' tables are there for sheet sizes that a cabinet shop would not normally run.
