Re: 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER

> I know that there is the wing cutting
>software available but I would like to cut from dxf drawings of any
>shape and size. The commercial software available in our country
>(South Africa) is unaffordable due to our poor exchange rate.
>
>I would greatly appreciate any response.

Vector Cam is the tool you need to cut general shapes in foam cutting with 4 linear axis(X-Y-U-V). That capability is included with all Cam versions that we sell. It can import the top and bottom shape from the same or different DXf files, or the shapes can be directly drawn within Vector Cad-Cam. You may have to adjust the top or bottom feedrates if you are running close to the maximum and you make a large sweep with one or the other while making a relatively short corner with the other. The 4 axis wire EDM principle is nearly identical, except that the electrified wire is moving between the guides(EDM), instead of fixed as in foam hot wire cutting. One of our customers in Utah has made a huge hot wire machine that he uses to create very large pieces in Foam. http://www.shapeshaver.com He uses Amapi and StlWork for some of the complex 3D surfaces, but his primary Cad-Cam tool is Vector. Last time I checked with him, he was experimenting with formed hot wires and using them to cut a rotating block of foam, like a lathe, except that he is able to orient the hot wire normal to the direction of cut and get an effect like a rotating milling cutter could make. He has also made some spring loaded fixtures with pulleys for his 4 axis kinds of work, so that as the angles, and hence distance between the guides changes, the springs allow the wire cutting distances to increase and decrease. He can cut outside shapes where a round end blends perfectly to a square end (you name the shapes you want). It's done very quickly, and without having to do 3D raster kind of machining. He also can cut something like 6-8 feet high material. He has built all his own equipment using readily available low cost hobby/stepper class materials, controllers, etc.

Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService
Listserve Special discounts and offers are at: http://209.69.202.197/cadcamedmdro.html

imserv@... Voice:248-486-3600 or 800-386-1670 Fax: 248-486-3698