Re: foam cutting current ?

I'm usually a lurker, but I'll chime in on this topic. I've built
three cnc foam cutters (before that manual systems).

Factors at play: foam density(some crappy foam changes density
within itself, esp. expanded ps), wire lenght, wire material, wire
diameter, method of motion, method of wire attachment, template
material, just to name a few.

Shoot even ambient temperature can in some instances affect the wire
heat.

Now to cut a really nice piece of foam, slow movement and low heat
down to a point. Hot wire cutters don't cut they melt ahead of the
wire. Lower heat (slower motion) equals finer cut, but more tedious
in moving it.

The specialized CNC software drives specialized controllers to heat
the wire. Basically, they are mosfets that switch the power off/on
at a specified rate controlled by the PC/PIC. Calibrated by the
operator.

Now for some thinking out loud... What this means is this using the
spindle speed control or other "user definable" signal (yes, even
step clock) could switch/trigger a mosfet(s) to switch the power to
the wire on/off. Trial and error on the calibration and you are
done.

But, change the wire type, wire diameter, wire lenght, foam
composition and density and..... another calibration.

check out cncfoamcutters@...

stan