Form cutting is a procedure performed by use of special equipment known as hot-wire foam cutters. This machine is utilized to cut materials like polystyrene foam. Many components including a thin taut metal wire are included in the cutter. The metal wire is usually heated via electrical resistance so that it can cut through material. Usually, the temperature of foam cutting wires reaches over 200 degrees Celsius depending on the type of machine in use.
Although in most cases the wire is made from nichrome or stainless steel, it can also be made from a variety of other materials. This wire may be pre-formed into any kind of desirable shape. The wire is normally hot in the sense that it does not require to have contact with the material so as to cut it. Normally, the material gets vaporized before coming in contact with the tensioned wire.
Tensioning of the wire can be done using a bow or a frame that has springs. Many people tend to favor a single strand of stainless steel wire over nichrome wire if diameters range from 0.008 inches to 0.020 inches. This diameter is suitable for frame-tensioned cutters. Commercially, a nickel-based alloy wire Rene 41 is often preferred. This nickel-based alloy is preferred because is maintains its tensile strength at cutting temperatures.
This machine is appropriate for cutting several different materials. It is specifically appropriate for cutting through any thermofusible expanded foam. These refer to materials that normally melt at moderately low temperatures. Custom materials, flexible expanded polypropylene foams, polymathacrylimide, extruded polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene blocks are some of the materials that this machine can cut.
There exist various models of these cutters used today. They include, simple manual cutting tables, performed wires, template-guided manual tables, computer numerically controlled cutters, and push through slicers among others. Pre-formed wires are used by attaching them to handles. When in use, the operator needs to guide the wire manually to produced desired shapes. Handheld cutters operate similarly where they are guided by the operator manually so that it cuts freehand shapes.
Hot wire foam cutting tables usually have a horizontal table that is used to secure the foam work piece in place. The wire, which may be horizontal or vertical then cuts through the work piece secured on the table. Hobbyists usually use vertical wires to cut small, but complex shapes like letters. Vertical tables can be utilized to cut prismatic members only.
Horizontal tables are mostly used in the packaging and construction industries. Tracks are contained on the sides of the table and they are used for holding the wire. The wire can be moved with great precision due to the tracks. Both downward and upward motion is allowed for by the track. Also, horizontal tables can produce angular cuts.
These days, CNC capabilities have been introduced into foam cutting. This increases the ability and accuracy to cut very intricate shapes. Nevertheless, accuracy of CNC machines may be affected by factors like stepper motors, backlash of the drive systems, and rigidity of races used for supporting effectors. End effectors are normally used to hold tensioned wires.
Although in most cases the wire is made from nichrome or stainless steel, it can also be made from a variety of other materials. This wire may be pre-formed into any kind of desirable shape. The wire is normally hot in the sense that it does not require to have contact with the material so as to cut it. Normally, the material gets vaporized before coming in contact with the tensioned wire.
Tensioning of the wire can be done using a bow or a frame that has springs. Many people tend to favor a single strand of stainless steel wire over nichrome wire if diameters range from 0.008 inches to 0.020 inches. This diameter is suitable for frame-tensioned cutters. Commercially, a nickel-based alloy wire Rene 41 is often preferred. This nickel-based alloy is preferred because is maintains its tensile strength at cutting temperatures.
This machine is appropriate for cutting several different materials. It is specifically appropriate for cutting through any thermofusible expanded foam. These refer to materials that normally melt at moderately low temperatures. Custom materials, flexible expanded polypropylene foams, polymathacrylimide, extruded polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene blocks are some of the materials that this machine can cut.
There exist various models of these cutters used today. They include, simple manual cutting tables, performed wires, template-guided manual tables, computer numerically controlled cutters, and push through slicers among others. Pre-formed wires are used by attaching them to handles. When in use, the operator needs to guide the wire manually to produced desired shapes. Handheld cutters operate similarly where they are guided by the operator manually so that it cuts freehand shapes.
Hot wire foam cutting tables usually have a horizontal table that is used to secure the foam work piece in place. The wire, which may be horizontal or vertical then cuts through the work piece secured on the table. Hobbyists usually use vertical wires to cut small, but complex shapes like letters. Vertical tables can be utilized to cut prismatic members only.
Horizontal tables are mostly used in the packaging and construction industries. Tracks are contained on the sides of the table and they are used for holding the wire. The wire can be moved with great precision due to the tracks. Both downward and upward motion is allowed for by the track. Also, horizontal tables can produce angular cuts.
These days, CNC capabilities have been introduced into foam cutting. This increases the ability and accuracy to cut very intricate shapes. Nevertheless, accuracy of CNC machines may be affected by factors like stepper motors, backlash of the drive systems, and rigidity of races used for supporting effectors. End effectors are normally used to hold tensioned wires.
About the Author:
Get a summary of the things to consider before picking a supplier of foam cutting wires and more information about a reputable supplier at http://www.fess-co.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment