A hot wire foam cutter is a special piece of equipment that is used for foam cutting. One example of materials this machine can be utilized to cut is polystyrene foam. It has various components which include a taut metal wire which is thin and is heated via electrical resistance for it to cut through materials. Depending on the make of the machine, the temperature of foam cutting wires normally reaches 200 degrees Celsius or more.
Various materials can be used to make the wire although it is made from nichrome or stainless steel in most cases. This wire can be pre-formed to any shape a person wishes to produce. The wire is normally very hot that there is no need to touch the material for it to be cut. The material gets vaporized before it is even touched by the 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 suitable for cutting a wide range of materials. It is particularly suitable for cutting through all thermofusible expanded foams. These are materials that usually melt at relatively low temperatures. Some of the materials the machine can cut include expanded polystyrene blocks, extruded polystyrene, polymethacrylimide, flexible expanded polypropylene foams, and custom materials.
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 normally have tables that are horizontal and they are used in securing the work piece in position. The wire might be vertical or horizontal and it cuts through work pieces that are secured on the table. Vertical wires are usually used in cutting small, complex shapes like letters by hobbyists. Vertical tables can only be used in making prismatic members.
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.
CNC capabilities have also been incorporated into foam cutting these days. This allows for even more accuracy and ability to cut extremely intricate shapes. However, accuracy of CNC machines can be affected by factors such as backlash of drive systems, stepper motors, and stiffness of races used to support end effectors. Tensioned wires are usually held by end effectors
Various materials can be used to make the wire although it is made from nichrome or stainless steel in most cases. This wire can be pre-formed to any shape a person wishes to produce. The wire is normally very hot that there is no need to touch the material for it to be cut. The material gets vaporized before it is even touched by the 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 suitable for cutting a wide range of materials. It is particularly suitable for cutting through all thermofusible expanded foams. These are materials that usually melt at relatively low temperatures. Some of the materials the machine can cut include expanded polystyrene blocks, extruded polystyrene, polymethacrylimide, flexible expanded polypropylene foams, and custom materials.
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 normally have tables that are horizontal and they are used in securing the work piece in position. The wire might be vertical or horizontal and it cuts through work pieces that are secured on the table. Vertical wires are usually used in cutting small, complex shapes like letters by hobbyists. Vertical tables can only be used in making prismatic members.
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.
CNC capabilities have also been incorporated into foam cutting these days. This allows for even more accuracy and ability to cut extremely intricate shapes. However, accuracy of CNC machines can be affected by factors such as backlash of drive systems, stepper motors, and stiffness of races used to support end effectors. Tensioned wires are usually held by end effectors
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