A warm cord CNC foam cutter is a computer-controlled equipment that makes use of a heated cutting cord to reduce EPS and XPS (xpanded polystyrene foams right into three-dimensional shapes. The cutting is made with a nozzle that is mounted on the end of the warm cable.
It is a great device for developing version aeroplanes hot wire CNC foam cutters as it can cut any kind of airfoil shape from a 2D CAD layout. It is also useful for eliminating complex shapes such as conical wings. The machine is simple and low-cost to build with off-the-shelf parts. It is simple to assemble and can be started up in under 2 hours. It is likewise easy to discover and utilize and can be used to make any kind of kind of 3D object.
There are a great deal of different software applications that can be used to produce the G-code and control the maker. Most people utilize DevFoam or Profilli yet these programs are not complimentary and require a PC with an identical port.
The core of the equipment includes an Arduino Huge 2560 and Ramps 1.4 with stepper chauffeurs and electric motors. The hardware is based upon the open source design by Garret Visser and Daniel Rascio. This design allows for independent running control of all axis including homing. It also has a visual display screen of the G-code and a setting panel for the nozzle temperature.
Besides the Arduino Mega and Ramps 1.4 you will certainly require a couple of various other components. A power supply that can supply 3.3 V is required as the stepper drives will need that voltage to operate. Also a fan that can blow on the wire is needed to keep it cool. A heat sink is also recommended to dissipate the heat produced by the nozzle.
It is best to trying out the setups for the nozzle temperature level and feeding rate before starting to deal with real tasks. You will certainly require to find an equilibrium that will produce tidy cuts with marginal melting of the foam. It is essential to maintain the nozzle temperature reduced sufficient to stay clear of melting the foam yet high enough to be able to get exact cutting.
Relying on your application it is additionally worth considering utilizing an alternative to nichrome for the resistance wire. Steel angling lines appropriate and they tend to last longer than nichrome. Generally you must try to utilize the thinnest wire possible to lower the kerf development while reducing and to give clean cut sides.
The P 60 series of devices come conventional with a 0.1 kg spool of NiCr reducing cable which needs to last for approx 5-10 hours relying on the setups you pick. It is also feasible to update to a Titanium Alloy Cord that lasts 5 times longer and has better stretch resistance at heats. This alternative is offered for all our 1.3 meter large and wider machines. This is an added fee but the cost is still more affordable than acquiring a new spool of NiCr each time it goes out.